z. 

PROCEEDINGS 


OF    THE 


5liHHiriatrii  5lgrinilturnl  (Jninurntion, 


I      THK 


VTI;  iiorsi;  IN 


Thursday,  March  20,  1851. 


BOSTON: 

.    M.    II  1  O..    81    rORXHILL. 

1851. 


CALlr  Or- 

PROCEEDINGS 


;3s0nrinttb  jfttii'nlioiftl  (Bnnunitton, 


AT  THE  STATE  HOUSE  IN  BOSTON, 


Thursday,  March  20,  1851. 


BOSTON: 

J,  M,  HEWES  AND  CO,,  PRINTERS,  81  CORNHILL 
1851. 


*.     . 
V 


COPY  OF  THE  CALL 

OF   THE 

ASSOCIATED    AGRICULTURAL   CONVENTION. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  NORFOLK  AGRICULTURAL  Socn 
held  at  Dedham,  January  28,  1851,  the  following  proposition  was  adopted  : 

"That  the  President  and  Secretaries  be  a  Committee  to  mature  and  adopt  a 
for  a  Convention  of  Delegates  from  the  various  Agricultural  Societies  of  the  C 
monwealth,  to  be  holden  at  some  convenient  time  and  place,  the  object  of  w 
shall  be  to  concert  measures  for  their  mutual  advantage,  and  for  the  promotion  of 
cause  of  Agricultural  Education." 

In  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  the  Committee  have  addressed  communications 

HON.  LEVI  LINCOLN,    .    .    President  of  the  Worcester  County  Society. 

JOHN  W.  PROCTOR,  ESQ.,  "  "  Essex  County  Society. 

HON.  E.  D.  HOAR,    ...  "  "  Middlesex  County  Society. 

MORGAN  LEWIS,  ESQ.,      .  "  "  Berkshire  County  Society. 

HON.  SETH  SPRAGUE,       .  "  "  Plymouth  County  Society. 

J.  H.  W.  PAGE,  ESQ.,       .  "  "  Bristol  County  Society. 

HON.  WILLIAM  CLARK,    .  "  "  Hampshire,  Hampden  &  Franklin  ! 

GEN.  JEREMIAH  MAYO,     .  "  "  Barnstable  County  Society. 

JOSIAH  HOOKER,  ESQ.,      .  "  "  Hampden  County  Society. 

GILBERT  MONSON,  ESQ  ,  "  "  Housatonic  Society. 

ALFRED  BAKER,  ESQ.,      .  "  "  East  Hampshire  Society. 

HON.  HENRY  W.  CUSHMAN,  "  "  Franklin  County  Society. 

HON.  GEORGE  DENNY,      .  "  "  Westboro'  Society. 

All  of  the  gentlemen  above  named  have  responded,  and  they  cordially  appi 
the  plan  of  the  Convention,  and  unite  in  calling  it. 

fn  the  further  discharge  of  their  duty,  therefore,  the  undersigned  beg  leave  to 
nounce  that  a  Convention  of  the  several  Agricultural  Societies  of  the  CommonweE 
will  be  holden  at  the  Slate  House  in  Boston,  on  Thursday,  March  20,  1851. 

In  order  to  increase  the  interest  and  usefulness  of  the  occasion,  the  Officers 
Trustees  of  the  above  named  Societies,  and  such  delegations  as  may  represent  th 
are  respectfully  invited  to  attend. 

The  Convention  will  first  assemble  in  the  Green  Room,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M., 
the  purpose  of  organization  ;  and  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  7  o'clock  in  the  evening 
the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  use  of  which  has  been  granted  foi 
accommodation. 

MARSHALL  P.  WILDER,^ 
EDGAR  K.  WH1TAKER,    >  Commille 
EDWARD  L.  KEYES,         ) 


9 


PROCEEDINGS. 


THE  Convention  assembled  in  the  Green  Room,  and  at  10  o'clock  was 
called  to  order  by  Hon.  MARSHALL  P.  WILDER,  President  of  the  Norfolk 
Society. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  PAGE  of  Bristol,  JOHN  W.  PROCTOR,  Esq.,  of  Danvers, 
was  chosen  President  pro  tern.,  and  Hon.  EDWARD  L.  KEYES,  Secretary 
pro  tern. 

On  motion  of  Hon.  Mr.  GARDNER  of  the  Bristol  Society,  that  gentleman, 
Professor  FOWLER  xf  Amherst,  Col.  NEWELL  of  Essex,  Hon.  GEORGE 
DENNY  of  Westbonr,  and  Rev.  Mr.  SANGER  of  Dover,  were  appointed  a 
Committee  to  report  a  plan  of  organization  and  list  of  officers. 

A  Committee  consisting  of  WILLIAM  S.  LINCOLN  from  Worcester,  Gen. 
NEWELL  from  Essex,  Mr.  SJMON  BROWN  from  Middlesex,  Mr.  LAWTON 
from  Berkshire,  Mr.  SPRAGUE  from  Plymouth,  SAMUEL  A.  DEAN  from  Bris- 
tol, ELISHA  EDWARDS  from  Hampden,  Hampshire  and  Franklin,  R.  S. 
MERRICK  from  Hampden,  Mr.  KEYES  from  the  Norfolk  Society,  GILBERT 
MONSON  from  Housatonic,  SIMEON  CLARK  from  East  Hampshire,  Mr. 
DENNY  from  Westboro',  Mr.  HUBBARD  from  Franklin,  ZENAS  D.  BASSETT 
from  Barnstable,  and  Mr.  GRAY,  from  the  State  Society,  were  appointed 
a  Committee  to  obtain  a  list  of  the  delegates  in  attendance. 

The  Committee  on  Organization  returned  and  reported  as  follows  : — 

President. 
Hon.  MARSHALL  P.  WILDER,  of  the  Norfolk  Society. 

Vice  Presidents. 

Hon.  JOHN  C.  GRAY,     .     .     .  of  the  State  Society. 

Hon.  LEVI  LINCOLN,      ...  "       Worcester  County  Society. 

JOHN  W.  PROCTOR,  Esq.,    .     .  "       Essex  County  Society. 

Hon.  E.  R.  HOAR,    ....  "       Middlesex  County  Society. 

MORGAN  LEWIS,  Esq.,   ...  "       Berkshire  County  Society. 

Hon.  SETH  SPRAGUE,     ...  "       Plymouth  County  Society. 

J.  H.  W.  PAGE,  Esq.,  ...  "       Bristol  County  Society. 

Hnn    Win     M  PT  *  «        5  Hampshire,    Hampden   and 

Hon.  WILLIAM  CLARK,       .     .  '      Franklin  Society. 


M214853 


Gen.  JEREMIAH  MAYO,        .     .     of  the  Barnstable  County  Society. 
JOSIAH  HOOKER,  Esq.,  ..."       Hampden  County  Society. 
GILBERT  MONSON,  Esq.,     .     .       "       Housatonic  Society. 
ALFRED  BAKER,  Esq.,    ...       "       East  Hampshire  Society. 
Hon.  HENRY  W.  CUSHMAN,    .       "       Franklin  County  Society. 
Hon.  GEORGE  DENNY,    ...       "       Westboro'  Society. 

Secretaries. 

Hon.  E.  K.  WHITAKER  of  Needhara, 
Hon.  E.  L.  KEYES  of  Dedham, 
WILLIAM  S.  LINCOLN,  Esq.,  of  Worcester, 
SAMUEL  A.  DEAN  of  Taunton. 

The  blessing  of  Heaven  was  invoked  upon  the  Convention  by  Rev.  1 
HUNTINGTON  of  Boston. 

The  President  then  arose  and  addressed  the  Convention  as  follows  : — 

GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  CONVENTION, 

I  tender  you  my  grateful  acknowledgements  for  the  honor  you  have  a 
ferred  in  electing  me  to  preside  over  your  deliberations.  This  mark  of  < 
tinction  is  due  to  my  superiors,  many  of  whom  I  see  around  me  ;  but  J 
always  happy  to  cooperate  in  any  measure  with  such  ability  as  I  posse 
to  advance  the  time-honored  and  world-sustaining  art  of  Agriculture. 

This  Convention  has  been  called  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Norfolk  S( 
ety,  and  standing  here  as  her  representative,  it  may  be  proper  to  rema 
that  although  we  are  assembled  in  conformity  with  the  invitation  of 
Committee,  yet  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  that  there   has  been  no  dispt 
tion  or  desire,  on  her  part,  to  assume  the  head  of  the  agricultural  family 
her  only  object  was  to  awaken  a  more  cordial  spirit  of  intercourse  betw< 
kindred  associations,  and  to  consult  together  and  devise  measures  for 
mutual  improvement  of  all. 

The  Norfolk  Society  is  among  the  younger  members  of  this  family,  ? 
has  solicited  this  meeting  to  obtain  wisdom  from,  her  seniors,  rather  tl 
with  the  expectation  of  imparting  it  to  any. 

At  a  meeting  of  her  Board  of  Trustees,  held  January  28,  1851,  the  i 
lowing  proposition  was  adopted  : — 

"  That  the  President  and  Secretaries  be  a  Committee  to  mature  a 
adopt  a  plan  for  a  Convention  of  Delegates  from  the  various  Agricultu 
Societies  of  the  Commonwealth,  to  be  holden  at  some  convenient  time  a 
place,  the  object  of  which  shall  be  to  concert  measures  for  their  mutual  ; 
vantage,  and  for  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  Agricultural  Education." 

In  the  discharge  of  their  official  duty,  the  Committee  corresponded 
the  subject  of  their  appointment  with  the  Presidents  of  kindred  associatio 
all  of  whom  cordially  approved  of  the  Convention,  many  of  whom  I  h< 
the  happiness  to  see  present  at  this  time,  and  others  who  are  expected  1 
fore  the  close  of  the  session. 


It  may  perhaps  be  expected  that  your  presiding  officer  should  propose 
business  for  the  Convention.  There  are  many  subjects  which  may  be  in- 
troduced, and  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  chair,  require  attention,  but  the 
suggestion  of  them  will  more  properly  emanate  from  a  Business  Committee, 
who  may  be  charged  with  the  duty  of  presenting  such  topics  as  are  deemed 
most  important. 

It  may  not  however  be  improper,  in  this  stage  of  proceeding,  to  allude 
briefly  to  a  few  points^which  may  be  deemed  worthy  of  consideration. 

Among  these  may  be  named, 

1.  The  expediency  of  so  arranging  the  annual  exhibitions  of  the  various 
local  Societies,  as  to  permit  of  more  frequent  intercourse  and  interchange 
of  civilities,  for  the  promotion  of  the  great  object  of  their  organization. 

2.  The  propriety  of  adopting  a  more  uniform  system  as  relates  to  pre- 
miums, and  the  principles  upon  which  they  are  awarded. 

3.  It  may  be  important  for  the  Convention  to  inquire  into  the  expedi- 
ency of  constituting  a  Central  Committee,  consisting  of  representatives  from 
the  various  County  and  District  Societies,  who  may  meet  semi-annually  for 
consultation  in  regard  to  their  general  interests.     Individual  Societies  can 
accomplish  much,  but  associated  effort,  more. 

4.  It  is  also  to  be  hoped  that  the  cause  of  Agricultural  Education,  now 
about  to  receive  the  consideration  of  the  Legislature,  will  not  be  overlooked 
in  the  deliberations  of  this  body,  and  if  it  be  the  opinion  of  this  Convention 
that  agriculture  may  be  promoted  by  the  application  of  science,  that  such  a 
sentiment  may  be  expressed  in  terms  so  explicit  as  not  to  be  misunderstood, 
and  that  the  aid  of  Government  may  be  solicited  for  this  purpose. 

And,  Gentlemen,  I  submit,  in  view  of  the  present  condition  of  agri- 
culture in  our  Commonwealth,  whether  there  is  not  occasion  for  the  assem- 
bling of  this  Convention, — whether  there  is  not  a  necessity  for  improvement 
in  this  most  important  branch  of  human  industry,  and  for  the  patronage  of 
Government  to  place  it  on  a  par,  at  least,  with  other  arts  in  point  of  wealth, 
honor  and  influence.  For  if  agriculture  is  the  parent  of  all  arts, — if  it  is 
the  basis  upon  which  rests  individual  and  national  wealth  and  prosperity, — 
if  it  is  intimately  connected  with  the  virtue  and  happiness  of  the  commu- 
nity, then  it  is  the  duty  not  only  of  philanthropists  to  foster  it,  but  also  of 
Government  to  extend  to  it  her  right  arm  for  protection,  and  to  make  it  one 
of  the  first  objects  of  her  guardian  care  and  protection. 

If  education  is  essential  to  the  full  development  of  any  art,  and  to  its  ap- 
plication to  the  purposes  of  active  life,  it  follows  that  the  great  interest  of 
agriculture,  from  whose  bounty  we  are  fed  and  clothed,  has  paramount 
claims  to  any  or  all  others  ;  and  that  the  Government  which  makes  no  pro- 
vision for  its  advancement,  cannot  be  considered  as  having  that  regard 
which  is  due  to  its  best  welfare  and  permanent  prosperity. 

Government  may  provide  the  means  for  the  education  of  a  few,  for  the 
learned  professions,  but  does  this  excuse  her  from  the  obligation  to  pro- 
vide equal  advantages  for  the  rest  of  her  sons, — for  the  farmer  aa  well  as 
for  the  clergyman,  the  lawyer,  or  physician.  Massachusetts,  with  enlight- 


ened  policy,  has  espoused  the  cause  of  education,  and  by  wise  legisla 
has  rendered  her  system  of  Common  Schools  so  perfect,  as  not  only  to  c 
mand  the  respect  and  admiration  of  her  sister  States,  but  of  the  whole 
ilized  world  ;  thus  furnishing  her  sons,  wherever  her  name  is  known,  \ 
a  ready  passport  to  the  most  cordial  civilities  and  amenities  of  life.  W 
a  glorious  spectacle  is  her  system  of  education,  with  her  four  thous 
school  houses  scattered  all  over  the  State,  and  studding  her  soil  with  gi 
more  precious  than  mines  of  gold  .  To  what  an  elevated  position  has 
Commonwealth  attained  by  the  blessings  conferred  on  her  sons  through 
life-giving  and  healthful  influences  which  flow  from  these  fountains 
knowledge. 

We  make  no  objections  to  what  she  has  done  for  educational  and  ch 
table  institutions,  and  internal  improvement ;    but  why  is  it  that  she 
made  no  provision  for  the  professional  education  of  the  farmer  ? 

Agriculture  should  especially  receive  the  encouragement  of  Governm< 
because  it  embraces  more  than  three-fourths  of  our  population,  beca 
from  it  is  derived  a  very  large  proportion  of  its  revenue,  and  because  1 
large  class,  who  are  engaged  in  it,  are,  to  a  great  extent,  the  conservai 
of  the  public  good  in  times  of  danger  and  peril.  Agriculture  is  the  pro 
nent  pursuit.  It  employs  more  capital  and  labor  than  all  other  trades 
professions,  and  in  proportion  as  it  prospers  will  the  welfare  of  the  c< 
munity  advance.  But  how  has  agriculture  progressed  with  other  calli 
in  Massachusetts? 

Facts  warrant  the  assertion  that  there  is  occasion  for  great  improvem* 
This  is  apparent  from  the  rapid  increase  of  population  and  the  comparal 
decrease  of  agricultural  products  in  this  State.  By  the  Report  of  the  Vz 
ation  Committee,  it  appears  that  although  since  1840  there  have  been  ad< 
to  the  area  under  improvement  in  Massachusetts  342,000  acres  of  la 
which  at  that  time  were  classed  as  "  unimproved,"  or  "  unimprovable,' 
and  although  the  tillage  lands  have  been  increased  sixteen  per  cent, 
the  same  time,  yet  the  grain  crops  have  increased  only  ten  per  cent.,  show 
a  relative  depreciation  of  six  per  cent.  ; — and  although  during  the  sa 
period  the  upland  and  other  mowing  lands  have  increased  nearly  fifteen 
cent.,  yet  the  hay  crops  have  been  increased  only  about  three  per  cei 
showing  a  relative  depreciation  of  twelve  per  cent. 

In  1840,  the  population  of  Massachusetts  was  737,700,  requiring  at 
bushels  per  head,  4,426,200  bushels  of  bread  stuff's  for  their  subsisten 
Of  this,  the  soil  produced  3,705,261  bushels,  leaving  700,000  bushels  to 
supplied  by  foreign  production.  But  in  1850,  the  population  of  the  Co 
monwealth  is  one  million,  an  increase  of  thirty-three  and  two-thirds  j 
cent.,  requiring  six  millions  of  bushels  of  bread  stuffs  for  consumption,  a 
of  which  she  raises  but  about  three  millions,  leaving  three  millions  of  bush 
to  be  supplied  by  foreign  production,  showing  an  absolute  decrease  in  1 
cereal  grains  of  more  than  600,000  bushels  ;  and  should  the  inhabita 
of  this  Commonwealth  increase  in  the  same  ratio  for  the  next,  as  for  1 
last  ten  years,  and  without  a  corresponding  increase  of  the  grain  crops, 


shall,  at  the  close  of  that  term,  be  dependent  on  foreign  resources  for  nearly 
Jive  millions  of  bushels  of  bread  stuffs  annually. 

These  facts  show  that  however  productive  other  labor  may  have  been, 
agriculture  has  not  progressed  proportionably  with  the  other  arts.  It 
should,  therefore,  receive  the  special  attention  of  Massachusetts  in  SELF  DE- 
FENCE ;  for  unless  our  farms  can  be  made  more  productive  and  profitable, 
we  shall  continue  to  be  dependent  on  other  portions  of  our  country  for  a 
large  share  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  her  sons  will  look  to  other  and 
more  fertile  lands  for  a  residence. 

Agriculture  should  receive  our  SPECIAL  ATTENTION,  for  although  we  may 
for  the  present  purchase  with  our  manufactures  the  grain  and  beef  and 
other  products  we  consume,  yet  the  time  will  come  when  the  manufacturer 
and  mechanic  will  place  himself  down  by  the  side  of  the  producer,  thus 
saving  the  expense  of  transportation  to  both,  and  when  Massachusetts  will 
be  obliged  to  rely,  more  than  she  now  does,  on  the  products  of  her  soil  for 
the  support  of  her  population. 

Shall  we  learn  wisdom  by  this  experience  ?  Or  shall  we  continue  the  ex- 
hausting process  of  perpetual  cropping,  without  the  application  of  science 
to  restore  the  productive  energies  of  the  soil?  So  devastating  has  been  this 
practice,  that  one  thousand  millions  of  dollars,  it  is  estimated,  would  not 
more  than  restore  to  their  primitive  richness  and  strength,  the  arable  lands 
of  the  United  States,  which  already  have  been  partially  exhausted  of  their 
fertility  ;  and  that,  should  this  prodigal  system  continue  to  the  close  of  the 
present  century,  the  natural  fertility  of  all  the  remaining  American  territory, 
will,  long  before  that  period,  have  been  abstracted. 

Is  it  not,  then,  a  question  of  vital  importance  to  the  Commonwealth 
whether  the  great  interest  of  agriculture  shall  remain  stationary,  or  whether 
it  shall  move  on  in  the  line  of  improvement  with  the  other  departments  of 
human  industry  1  It  is  undoubtedly  wise  policy  to  encourage  and  foster  any 
species  of  industry  which  is  adapted  to  the  wants  and  conditions  of  a  com- 
munity ;  but  just  in  proportion  to  the  prosperity  of  the  agricultural  interest, 
will  ultimately  be  the  ratio  of  success  in  all  the  other  great  industrial 
pursuits. 

Who  doubts  that  our  lands  are  capable  of  yielding  more  than  double  their 
present  productions  with  little  or  no  increase  of  expense?  How  many  thou- 
sands of  acres  there  are  in  the  Commonwealth,  also,  which  produce  no  in- 
come whatever,  and  which,  in  reality,  are  the  richest  portions  of  our  soil, 
and  by  the  application  of  science  may  be  made  to  produce  abundantly?  If, 
therefore,  we  desire  to  retain  the  young  farmers  of  our  Commonwealth, 
— the  bone,  muscle  and  sinew  of  society,  and  the  future  pride  and  sup- 
port of  the  State, — we  must  place  within  their  reach  the  means  of 
producing  a  result  so  desirable. 

Similar  advances  may  be  realized  by  the  application  of  science  in  the  im- 
provement of  our  cattle,  horses,  swine,  &c.,  and  in  the  saving  and  scien- 
tific application  of  manure*. 


8 

Take  an  example  : — 

We  have  150,000  cows  in  this  Commonwealth.  Suppose  science  enal 
these,  or  improved  breeds,  to  yield  one  additional  quart  of  milk  per  da 
this,  at  three  cents  per  quart,  would  increase  the  productive  capital  of  t 
State  $4,500  per  day,  or  $  1,642,500  per  year  ;  or  if  two  quarts  per  d* 
a  gain  of  more  than  three  million  dollars  annually. 

We  have  70,000  horses  in  the  State,  and  which  might,  by  a  better  kno 
ledge  of  the  principles  of  breeding,  be  improved  so  as  to  command  at  le; 
fifty  dollars  each  more  than  they  are  worth  at  present ;  this  would  increa 
their  value  three  millions  and  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  Who  dout 
that  with  a  better  understanding  of  the  laws  of  agricultural  chemistry,  a 
the  proper  adaptation  of  crops  and  manures  to  the  soil,  that  our  cereal  grai 
might  be  increased  ten  bushels  to  the  acre  without  additional  expense  ;  tl 
would  add  several  millions  of  dollars  to  the  present  amount  of  products. 

Doubtless  these  results  can  be  attained,  or  science  is  a  chimera,  and 
the  laws  of  animal  and  vegetable  physiology  a  delusion.  , 

It  is  susceptible  of  proof  that  the  loss  of  manure  in  the  Commonwea' 
by  misapplication  and  waste,  is  more  than  two  millions  of  dollars  per  ye 
Now  suppose  this  enormous  loss  were  appropriated  scientifically,  who  c 
estimate  the  additions  which  it  would  make  to  the  products  of  the  soil  ? 

We  need  information  in  all  these  branches  of  husbandry.  We  have  n 
terials,  but  they  need  system,  cooperation  ;  they  need  the  encouragemt 
and  patronage  of  Government.  We  have  already  stated  that  we  make 
objections  to  what  the  Commonwealth  has  done  for  educational  and  cha 
table  purposes.  Our  Common  School  Fund  now  amounts  to  nearly  a  m 
lion  of  dollars ;  but  great  as  are  the  blessings  which  have  flowed  from  th 
why  should  not  a  portion  of  the  State  income,  from  the  same  resoun 
be  appropriated  for  Agricultural  Education  ? 

With  the  view  we  have  taken  of  the  present  condition  of  agriculture 
this  Commonwealth,  is  it  not  the  imperative  duty  of  all  associations  li 
those  we  represent,  to  enlarge  their  fields  of  usefulness,  and  to  awaken 
possible,  a  more  earnest  interest  not  only  in  the  minds  of  our  State  a 
National  legislators,  but  throughout  all  classes  of  the  community  on  U 
most  important  subject  ? 

But,  Gentlemen,  I  forbear  from  extending  these  remarks. 

In  conclusion,  if  agriculture  can  be  promoted  by  the  application  of  s 
ence,  then  it  is  the  manifest  duty  of  Government  to  extend  to  it  the  hand 
protection. 

Massachusetts  is  world  wide  renowned  for  her  system  of  education.  I 
her  perfect  it  by  extending  it  to  all  of  her  sons,— to  the  farmer  as  well  as 
the  professional  man.  Let  her  legislators  take  up  the  subject  in  earne 
Let  them  look  at  the  matter  with  no  narrow  or  grudging  policy,  but  w 
generous  and  enlightened  liberality.  An  appropriation  now  of  a  few  the 
sand  dollars  for  this  cause,  will  add;  ultimately,  millions  to  the  product 
capital  of  the  State,  and  will  be  of  more  substantial  benefit  to  her  citize 
than  any  similar  appropriation  ever  made. 


Massachusetts  has  always  taken  a  leading  part  in  most  of  the  great  enter- 
prises which  mark  the  progress  of  society,  and  we  trust  that  she  will  not 
now  hesitate  to  promote  by  her  legislation  an  interest,  which  more  than  any 
other  will  redound  to  her  future  glory  and  permanent  prosperity. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention,  I  congratulate  you  on  the  large  attendance 
of  delegates,  all  of  whom  I  am  most  happy  to  meet  on  this  occasion,  and  I 
doubt  not  that  the  results  of  this  meeting  will  not  only  be  productive  of 
good  to  ourselves,  but  it  is  hoped  will  be  of  some  advantage  to  those  who 
may  come  after  us. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  Mr.  SEWALL,  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed 
a  Business  Committee  : — Rev.  C.  C.  SEWALL  of  Norfolk  ;  GEORGE  DENNY 
of  Worcester  ;  PAOLI  LATHROP  of  Hampshire  ;  J.  W.  H.  PAGE  of  Bristol  ; 
B.  V.  FRENCH  of  Braintree  ;  ALLEN  W.  DODGE  of  Hamilton  ;  ISAAC  DAVIS 
of  Worcester  ;  E.  L.  KEYES  of  Dedham,  and  Mr.  SPRAGUE  of  Bristol. 

It  was  voted  that  an  invitation  be  extended  to  the  Governor,  Lieutenant 
Governor,  members  of  the  Council  and  both  branches  of  the  Legislature,  to 
ittend  the  afternoon  and  evening  sessions  of  the  Convention, — and  Rev.  Mr. 
SANGER  of  Dover,  was  appointed  messenger  to  deliver  the  invitation. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned  to  3  P.  M.,  to  allow  the  Business  Com- 
mittee to  attend  to  their  duties. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  Convention  assembled  in  the  Representatives  Hall  at  3  o'clock. 
The  attendance  was  quite  large,  and  among  those  present  were  many  of 
the  leading  agriculturalists  of  the  Commonwealth. 

Rev.  Mr.  SEWALL,  from  the  Business  Committee,  reported  for  the  delib- 
eration of  the  Convention  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  : — 

Whereas,  Agriculture,  the  parent  of  the  Arts,  is  essential  to  the  subsistence  and 
preservation  of  the  human  race,  and  embraces  in  itself  the  elements  of  national  wealth 
and  power, — therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  encouragement  and  advancement  of  Agriculture  should  be 
with  us,  as  it  has  been  with  other  civilized  nations,  a  leading  object  of  public  regard, 
to  be  cherished  by  a  generous  public  sentiment,  and  liberally  sustained  by  the  re- 
sources of  the  Commonwealth. 

Resolved,  2.  That  it  is  expedient  to  establish  a  Central  Board  of  Agriculture,  to  be 
:omposed  of  delegates  from  the  various  incorporated  Agricultural  Societies  of  the 
Commonwealth,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  meet  semi-annually,  or  oftener,  if  it  shall  be 
ieemed  expedient,  and  to  recommend  to  the  several  Societies  uniform  rules  of  action, 
and  to  take  into  consideration  all  subjects  pertaining  to  the  interests  of  Agriculture. 

Resolved,  3.  That,  whether  acting  as  individuals,  or  as  Representatives,  the  citizens 
of  the  Commonwealth  are  bound  to  encourage  the  application  of  science  to  all  those 
branches  of  industry  which  minister  to  human  comfort  and  happiness,  and  thereby  to 
the  wealth  and  prosperity  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  4.  That  Agricultural  Schools  having  been  found,  by  the  experience  of 
other  nations,  efficient  means  in  promoting  the  cause  of  Agricultural  Education,  which 
is  so  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  farmers  and  to  the  welfare  of  communities,  it  be- 

2 


10 

comes  at  once  the  duty  and  policy  of  the  Commonwealth  to  establish  and  ma 
such  institutions  for  the  benefit  of  all  ils  inhabitants. 

Resolved,  5.  That  the  several  plans  for  an  Agricultural  School,  recently  rej 
by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  appointed  for  that  purpose,  are  worthy  the  pro 
consideration  of  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  and  their  Representatives  in  the  ' 
ral  Court,  as  indicating  the  feasibility  and  practicability  of  an  establishment  v 
that  exalted  character  which  the  State  has  secured  by  the  endowment  of  kindr 
stitutions,  designed,  like  these,  for  the  diffusion  of  useful  knowledge  amon 
people. 

Resolved,  G.  That  inasmuch  as  Agriculture  is  the  chief  occupation  of  her  cit: 
the  Commonwealth,  in  the  organization  of  its  government,  should  be  provided  ^ 
department  of  Agriculture,  with  offices  and  honors  commensurate  with  the  impoi 
of  the  duties  to  be  discharged,  of  the  abilities  to  be  required,  and  of  the  labors 
performed. 

Resolved,  7.  That  the  several  County  and  local  Agricultural  Societies,  (a! 
the  adopted  children  of  the  Commonwealth,)  by  their  pioneer  efforts  in  diffusin 
fu!  knowledge  among  the  people  ;  by  their  agency  in  arousing  and  directing  the 
gies  of  the  farmer  in  the  course  of  modern  improvement,  and  by  the  encourag 
they  offer  to  every  worthy  effort  of  agricultural  skill  and  industry,  recommend 
selves  still  more  powerfully  to  the  protection  and  patronage  of  the  Legislature. 

Resolved,  8.  That  the  Convention  respectfully  suggests  to  the  Legislature  th 
priety  and  expediency  of  reserving  the  entire  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public 
of  the  Commonwealth, — from  and  after  the  period  when  the  Common  School 
shall  have  reached  the  maximum  fixed  by  the  act  of  1834, — for  purposes  of  < 
tion  and  charity,  with  a  view  to  extending  that  aid  and  encouragement  to  a  sysl 
Agricultural  Education  which  the  importance  of  the  subject  so  imperiously  det: 

Upon  motion  of  Mr.  SEWALL,  the  resolutions  were  taken  up  in  ( 
with  the  exception  of  those  relating  to  Agricultural  Schools,  which 
deferred  until  the  last. 

The  first  resolve  was  read  and  adopted  on  motion  of  Mr.  KEY 
Dedham. 

The  second  resolution  was  next  read,  whereupon  Col.  PAGE,  Pres 
of  the  Bristol  County  Society,  addressed  the  Convention  as  follows:— 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  do  not  like  to  have  this  resolve  pass  in  silence.  I  think  there  is 
ter  there  which  will  commend  itself  to  the  judgment  of  every  gent' 
who  has  given  the  subject  of  agriculture  and  Agricultural  Societies  in 
sachusetts  any  consideration.  We  have  had  Agricultural  Societn 
years,  in  various  parts  of  this  Commonwealth.  Each  has  gone  on, 
own  way,  to  accomplish  the  good  objects  which  are  proposed  by  all. 
sir,  the  action  of  each  of  these  Societies  has  been  isolated,  confined 
self,  communicated,  with  very  few  exceptions,  to  nobody,  except  thon 
happened  to  be  present  at  the  annual  exhibitions  ;  and  even,  sir,  wh 
report  is  annually  prepared,  as  it  has  been  in  the  two  years  of  the  exic 
of  your  Society,  and  in  Essex  and  one  or  two  others,  it  is  a  local  r 
after  all,  and  finds  its  way  into  the  hands  of  but  very  few  of  the  pra 
farmers  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  result  of  this  state  of  things,- 
want  of  centralization,  this  want  of  cooperation,  has  limited  the  benef 


11 

Agricultural  Societies  are  capable  of  accomplishing.  The  objects  for 
which  premiums  are  awarded  are  substantially  the  same,  so  far  as  my  obser- 
vation of  the  bills  of  fare  has  gone,  throughout  the  Commonwealth  ;  differing 
somewhat  according  to  the  peculiar  features  of  the  industry  in  the  different 
parts  of  the  Commonwealth  ;  but,  on  the  whole,  they  are  about  the  same. 
The  amount  of  premium  offered  differs  very  essentially.  The  amount  of  en- 
couragement which  it  is  thought  necessary  to  bestow  upon  different  branches, 
differs  very  materially  in  different  places,  though  the  subject  is  of  equal  im- 
portance in  different  parts  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  mode  of  operation, 
the  mode  of  putting  on  paper  that  which  is  thought  worth  recording,  and 
the  extent  to  which  that  is  done,  differ  materially  in  one  County  from  ano- 
ther. There  is  no  concentration.  There  is  no  permanent  recording. 
There  is  no  distribution  of  information.  So  that  these  Societies,  though 
they  have  accomplished  vast  good,  have  failed,  in  my  judgment,  to  accom- 
plish the  greater  amount  of  good  that  they  might  have  done. 

The  proposition  before  you  is  for  the  organization  of  a  Central  Commit- 
tee. The  details  of  the  constitution  of  that  body  are  not  carried  out  in  the 
resolve.  But  the  idea  has  been  suggested  that  it  should  be  composed  of 
some  of  the  officers  of  the  different  Societies  of  the  Commonwealth  ;  that 
they  should  periodically  meet,  as  suggested  in  the  resolve  itself,  to  devise 
and  recommend  to  the  other  Societies  some  uniform  mode  of  action  ;  and 
that  they,  beyond  that,  should  take  into  consideration  all  those  subjects 
which  are  useful  in  Agricultual  Societies. 

Now  it  seems  to  me  that  this  proposition  needs  only  to  be  stated,  in 
order  to  commend  itself  to  the  approbation  of  every  gentleman.  It  is  a 
very  innocent  matter,  at  any  rate.  Whether  the  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
chusetts shall  or  shall  not  extend  that  aid  to  agriculture  which  it  has  given 
already  to  almost  every  thing  else, — whether  the  action  of  this  day  shall 
result  in  any  important  good  or  not  to  the  farmer  of  Massachusetts,—- 
whether  any  dollar  shall  now  or  hereafter  be  appropriated  to  the  promotion 
of  agriculture  or  not,  this  matter  is  required  equally  to  be  done  under  the 
existing  state  of  things,  and  under  any  possible  future  state  of  things, — 
whether  you  have  schools  or  not,  you  wish  your  Societies.  They  are  ne- 
cessary in  order  that  little  County  collections  may  be  made,  and  that  the 
farmers  may  there  interchange  views  and  may  get  ideas  which  they  will 
reduce  to  practice.  They  will  be  necessary  in  order  that  men  may  encour- 
age each  other  by  acting  together,  to  talk  over  these  subjects  of  common 
interest.  If  you  have  your  Agricultural  Schools  or  not,  carried  on  under 
any  plan,  still  I  think  you  need  these  same  Agricultural  Societies,  as  their 
business  is  distinct  entirely  from  that  of  your  Agricultural  Schools,  each 
working  in  its  own  department  in  the  same  great  cause.  And,  in  any 
event,  while  you  have  these  Agricultural  Societies  you  will  need  this 
central  organization  in  order  that  they  may  all  stand  on  the  same  platform, 
that  they  may  have  the  same  object  in  view,  and  the  same  general  mode  of 
carrying  out  and  attempting  to  accomplish  that  object. 

For  one,  sir,  I  shall  be  exceedingly  glad  to  have  that  Committee  appoint- 


12 

ed,  if  for  no  other  reason,  that  they  may  take  this  one  topic  into  consi 
eration.  It  has  been  a  great  pleasure  to  me,  out  of  my  own  County 
attend  the  agricultural  exhibitions  in  other  parts  of  the  Commonwealth 
should  be  very  glad,  on  one  occasion  in  a  single  year,  to  see  all  the  A 
cultural  Societies  together,  in  order  that  I  might  institute  a  comparison 
tween  one  and  the  other  ;  in  order  that  I  might  institute  a  comparison 
tween  all  the  others  and  that  of  my  own  County  ;  that  we  might  take  r 
in  that  in  which  we  excel,  and  that  we  might  improve  in  those  thoui 
things  in  which  others  excel  us.  But  now  each  Society  goes  on  in  its 
way  ;  each  Society  has  its  own  meeting  when  it  chooses  ;  and  it  has  1 
pened  before,  that  meetings  have  sometimes  been  held  on  the  same  day 
in  adjoining  Counties,  on  successive  days,  so  that  one  cannot  attend  b 
It  is  supposed  that  this  central  association,  formed  of  delegates  from  < 
of  the  Societies,  would  come  together  at  stated  periods,  and  have  meet 
other  than  stated  ones  whenever  occasion  may  require  ;  that  facts  of  ir 
est  may  be  laid  before  them  ;  that  the  light  of  minds  from  all  parts  of 
Commonwealth  may  be  brought  to  bear  ;  that  they  may  devise  rules  w 
may  be  presented  to  the  several  Societies  throughout  the  Commonwea 
and  that  we  might,  by  concerted  action,  accomplish  that,  which,  by  ac 
separately,  it  has  been  heretofore  impossible  to  produce,  and  probably  t< 
time,  in  the  past  desultory  mode  of  action,  would  be  impossible  to  prodi 
As  I  said  in  the  outset,  I  rose  merely  because  I  desired  that  this  nu 
shoul^  be  explained  by  somebody,  and  should  not  be  permitted  to  pas 
silence.  I  have  said  that  I  supposed  this  would  commend  itself  to 
judgment  of  each  person,  when  he  considered  it.  1  may  be  mistaken. 
I  hope  that  this,  as  well  as  all  the  other  resolutions,  will  receive  not  only 
silent  vote,  one  way  or  the  other,  of  the  gentlemen,  but  that  we  shall  } 
the  spoken  word,  in  order  that  we  may  know  what  members  think  of 
these  matters  from  every  part  of  the  Commonwealth. 


SPEECH   OF    JOHN  W.  PROCTOR,    ESQ.,    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    ESi 
COUNTY  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  am  exceedingly  glad  to  hear  from  my  friend,  the  President  of  the  E 
tol  Society,  the  exposition  of  his  views  in  relation  to  this  matter.  I  h 
had  some  little  experience  in  connection  with  one  of  the  Societies  in 
Commonwealth  in  the  County  of  Essex,  and  fully  accord  with  most  of 
views  that  have  been  suggested,  and  believe  that  there  is  room,  by  d 
gates  coming  together  from  the  different  Societies,  of  very  much  impro 
their  mode  of  administering  the  affairs  of  the  Societies.  I  think,  sir,  th 
Societies  owe  to  the  Commonwealth  something  of  this  kind.  They  have  i 
been  established,  many  of  them,  about  thirty  years.  The  Commonwe 
has  appropriated  $5,000  to  $7,000  annually,  for  the  support  of  these 
cieties,  Generally,  if  I  understand  it,  sir,  they  are  in  a  good  degre 


13 

favor  throughout  the  Commonwealth.  I  believe  they  are  thought,  in  their 
different  spheres,  to  have  done  much  useful  service. 

I  believe,  sir,  that  the  members  of  these  Societies  entertain  the  hope  that 
they  have  so  commended  themselves  to  the  Legislature,  that  they  may  rea- 
sonably expect  an  increase  of  the  bounty  of  the  State  for  their  support.  If 
they  are  to  have  that  increase,  or  if  they  are  not,  they  are  in  duty  bound 
so  to  use  whatever  they  have  as  to  make  it  benefit  agriculture. 

Now  the  remark  has  been  made,  that  the  meetings  of  the  different  Socie- 
ties conflict  with  each  other.  Several  of  these  meetings  come  on  the  same 
day.  It  would  be  well  that  there  should  be  an  understanding  that  they 
should  come  one  after  the  other,  so  that  individuals  could  go  into  other 
Counties  and  see  what  was  done  there  ;  that  they  could,  by  their  practical 
Dbservation,  carry  home  that  which  they  might  find  valuable.  In  this  way 
the  objects  of  the  premiums  would  be  suggested  to  them,  and  the  manner  of 
offering  them.  In  this  way  there  might  be  very  great  improvement  in  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  Committees  in  reporting  on  the  subject. 

I  believe,  sir,  it  has  been  found  by  the  gentleman  who  has  prepared  the 
annual  abstract  which  has  been  published  by  the  Legislature,  that  in  differ- 
ent Counties  there  is  a  very  great  variety  of  the  degree  of  attention  paid  in 
preparing  those  reports.  In  some  Counties  it  has  been  an  object  to  make 
those  reports  worthy  of  notice  ;  to  make  them  the  means  of  disseminating 
useful  knowledge.  And  when  they  are  embodied  together,  a  useful  book  is 
furnished.  If  the  State  is  to  be  at  the  expense  of  publishing  annually  the 
reports  of  the  several  Counties,  it  is  very  desirable  that  the  digest  should  be 
drawn  up  in  such  a  form  as  to  be  creditable  to  the  State.  Any  gentleman 
who  has  examined  the  reports  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  in  New 
York,  will  find  that  it  gives  a  fund  of  original  information, — a  treasury  of 
valuable  knowledge  every  year.  Constitute  this  Board,  and  Massachu- 
setts, though  far  inferior  to  New  York  in  size  and  means,  would  still  come 
into  respectable  comparison  with  her  as  affording  useful  information  oc  this 
subject. 

I  was  pleased  with  the  suggestion  made.  I  only  make  these  remarks 
that  gentlemen  should  understand  the  object  contemplated.  And  until  the 
Legislature  shall  carry  out  the  more  general  recommendation  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Board  of  Agriculture,  as  one  of  the  departments  of  the  State, 
it  seems  to  me  proper  that  the  Agricultural  Societies,  who  are  now  the 
foster  children  of  the  State,  should  be  no  far  organized  as  to  do  this  as  well 
as  they  can. 

REMARKS    OF    HORATIO    C.    MERRIAM,    ESQ.,    OF    TEWKSBURY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  have  been  exceedingly  interested  in  the  remarks  of  my  friends.  The 
one  who  last  spoke, — the  President  of  the  Essex  County  Society, — is  of 
thirty  years  standing  in  this  cause  ;  and  my  friend,  behind  me,  from  Bristol 
County,  is  not  far  behind  him.  If  I  understand  the  object,  it  is  to  concen- 


u 

trate  our  efforts  by  a  Central  Board,  and  spread  our  information  througl 
community. 

We  now  have  local  Boards  of  Agriculture.  Our  CdVinty  Societiei 
local  Boards.  Did  our  organization  stop  here,  I  should,  with  all  my  hi 
— though  I  do  not  now  oppose  the  resolution, — I  should,  with  all  my  hi 
go  for  the  resolution.  But  we  have  some  County  Societies  ;  and  we  I 
a  perfect  establishment  for  the  whole  Commonwealth.  We  have 
County  Societies  and  the  State  Society.  It  seems  to  me  that  this  e* 
lishment  would  be  superseding  the  State  Society,  would  be  reflecting  i 
those  good  and  zealous  men  who  constitute  its  Board  of  Trustees,  ai 
would  suggest  whether  having  County  Societies  and  a  State  Society, 
latter  having  a  general  superintendence,  it  would  not  be  better  and  mor< 
spectful  to  them  to  pass  a  resolution  requesting  them  to  discharge  the 
duties  here  referred  to  a  Board.  And  they  are  anxious  to  do  them.  T 
zeal  is  ample.  Their  funds  are  ample^  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  they 
perform  all  the  duties  to  be  accomplished  by  a  Central  Board.  I  think 
the  State  Society  is  a  Central  Board.  I  would  suggest  whether  a  res 
tion  requesting  the  State  Society  to  take  the  matter  of  acting  in  this  c 
into  consideration,  would  not  be  more  respectful. 

REMARKS    OF    THE    HON.    EDGAR    K.    WH1TAKER. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

The  suggestion  of  the  gentleman  who  has  just  taken  his  seat,  se 
to  be  an  important  one.  But  I  do  not  know  as  I  should  fall  into  it 
mediately,  for  a  reason  which  I  will  give.  To  my  mind  there  is  sc 
thing  exceedingly  gratifying  in  the  occasion  which  has  collected  toge 
this  meeting.  If  I  mistake  not,  I  see  gentlemen  here,  delegates  from  all 
Agricultural  Societies  of  the  State,  who  have  come  for  the  purpose  of 
ing  if  we  cannot  get  up  a  new  interest  in  the  cause  of  agriculture, 
seems  to  me,  in  correspondence  with  this  movement,  if  we  are  to  carry 
what  these  friends  have  come  here  to  do, — if  we  are  to  carry  it  ou 
earnest,  that  we  would  better  concentrate  what  of  effort  we  desire  from 
men  who  have  come  here  rather  than  from  the  old  State  Society.  No 
can  entertain  a  higher  respect  than  I  do  for  the  men  connected  with 
old  State  Institution.  But  as  no  one  can  mistake  from  the  expressioi 
interest  upon  the  face  of  every  man  in  this  hall,  those  who  have  come  r 
have  come  with  the  idea  of  creating  some  new  interest,  some  new  me 
ment  somewhat  different  from  what  has  characterized  the  different  Socie 
which  have  been  organized  in  years  past. 

The  gentlemen  who  have  addressed  the  Convention  upon  the  resolul 
which  is  now  before  it,  have  very  properly  explained  what  is  the  obt 
of  this  resolution.  But  they  have  not  said  what  I  think  may  very  welJ 
said,  and  with  saying  that,  I  shall  take  my  seat.  It  seems  to  me  t 
what  is  proposed  to  be  carried  out  in  this  resolution  is  very  fully  exem 
tied  in  what  we  see  here  to-day  ;  and  that  is,  the  gratifying  eircumstar 


m 

that  on  a  call  issued,  gentlemen  without  hesitation  have  come  up  here  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  whether  we  cannot  do  something  for  agriculture. 
And,  in  accordance  with  that  desire,  it  is  proposed  to  bring  the  active 
minds  of  the  State,  who  want  to  see  improvement,  into  a  Committee  who 
shall  examine  in  detail  the  matters  on  which  the  different  Societies  are  in- 
terested, and  see  if  something  cannot  be  done  to  waken  the  people  to  more 
interest  in  this  department  of  industry,  which  seems  almost  to  have  been 
forgotten,  though  it  was  once  the  main  interest  of  the  State.  We  may  ac- 
complish what  we  want  to  see  carried  out  by  the  movement  without  diffi- 
culty. We  may  feel  satisfied,  from  what  we  see  heie  to-day,  that  with 
a  Committee  organized  as  is  proposed,  something  will  be  obtained 
which  will  create  the  new  interest  we  wish  to  secure.  I  think  that 
the  faces  we  see  here  to-day  are  the  best  proof  of  this  ;  and  I  hope 
that  not  only  will  the  resolution  be  passed,  but  that  gentlemen  will 
feel  that  that  is  not  the  last  of  it ;  that  if  they  are  to  carry  any  thing 
into  effect  in  their  County  organizations,  they  should  meet  at  once  for 
the  purpose  of  selecting  out  the  most  active  minds  they  have,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  doing  something  in  the  different  departments  of  agriculture. 

I  think  that  this  resolution  is  one  of  the  most  important  ones  that  can 
come  before  the  meeting  ;  and  I  rose  because  I  did  not  think  that  by  again 
neglecting  this  matter,  or  by  referring  it  back  to  the  old  organization,  how- 
ever respectable,  we  should  carry  out  the  object  which  is  proposed  by  the 
Committee. 

'ntmpr 

SPEECH     OF     HON.     SETH    SPRAGUE,     PRESIDENT     OF     THE    PLYMOUTH 

COUNTY  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

It  was  not  designed  by  the  Committee  that  that  resolution  should  at 
all  reflect  upon  or  interfere  with  the  character  or  operation  of  the  State 
Central  Society.  It  was  intended  to  carry  out  some  details  in  the  opera- 
tion of  the  County  Societies  which  the  State  Society  could  not  well  effect. 
The  gentleman  who  first  spoke,  and  the  gentleman  from  Essex,  have  ex- 
plained this  matter. 

The  State  Society  have  done  much  for  agriculture  in  importing  different 
breeds  of  cattle,  and  distributing  them  gratuitously  in  different  parts  of  the 
Commonwealth.  They  have  done  a  great  deal  for  agriculture  ;  and  gen- 
tlemen who  have  been  eminent  in  public  life,  who  have  now  gone  to  their 
graves,  and  who  were  devoted  to  agriculture  in  the  arduous  labors  they  per- 
formed in  connection  with  that  Society,  deserve  our  highest  acknowledge- 
ments. But  the  State  Agricultural  Society  cannot  make  arrangements  for 
the  time  of  the  Agricultural  Societies  to  hold  their  meetings.  The  State 
Agricultural  Society  cannot  well  arrange  the  premiums  and  the  details  of 
the  operation  of  the  several  County  Agricultural  Societies.  They  have  no 
means  of  doing  it.  It  is  utterly  out  of  their  power  to  do  it. 

Now  this  Board  will  be  composed  of  gentlemen  knowing  the  wants  of 


16 

the  several  Agricultural  Societies  and  their  manner  of  doing  busin 
They  can  there  consolidate  their  views  and  information  and  carry  out 
details  as  regards  the  premiums,  the  reports,  the  publications,  and  the 
rious  operations  of  the  different  Societies.  Many  of  our  premiums, 
given  by  our  Agricultural  Societies,  do  very  little  good.  They  are  a  n 
name.  We  give,  in  the  Plymouth  County  Agricultural  Society,  a  prem 
for  the  best  milch  cow.  Now  we  have  no  report  of  the  sizes  or  darr 
those  cows.  We  have  no  report  of  their  blood  ;  whether  they  are  of 
breed  or  another, — of  their  shape  or  their  size  ;  but  we  have  merely 
quantity  of  milk  and  the  feed  which  they  have  had.  This  affords  us  i 
little  opportunity  for  improvement.  It  is  so  with  our  working  oxen, 
want  the  information  that  some  gentlemen  in  the  Commonwealth  have 
quired.  We  want,  as  the  gentlemen  have  said  before,  to  know  sometl 
of  what  they  have  learned.  And  if  we  have  any  thing  to  communicate, 
will  communicate  with  them.  This  is  the  grand  object ;  and  it  seem 
me  that  it  might  be  carried  on  without  interfering  with  the  State  Socii 
It  is  not  intended  to  interfere,  and  if  it  should  be  thought  that  it  does  re] 
on  that  Society,  I  hope  that  it  will  be  so  managed  as  that  it  will  not  dc 

SPEECH    OF     THE     HON.    JOHN    C.    GRAY,     PRESIDENT     OF     THE     STj 

AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  think  it  becomes  me,  in  the  first  place,  as  representing  the  State 
ciety,  to  acknowledge  the  liberality  with  which  gentlemen,  as  well  th 
who  have  hesitated  in  supporting  the  resolution  as  those  who  have  give 
their  support,  have  spoken  of  the  State  Society.  But  my  opinion  agi 
with  that  of  my  friend  who  has  just  taken  his  seat.  I  see  nothing  in 
resolution  which  reflects  upon  the  State  Society.  While  I  say  that 
State  Society,  or  the  gentlemen  who  have  had  the  administration  of  it,  h 
done  all  in  their  power  to  promote  Ihe  interests  of  agriculture,  and  we 
have  been  happy  if  their  power  had  been  greater,  I  feel  as  if  I  may  say 
them  that  they  will  feel  no  objection  to  this  resolution.  The  State 
oiety,  if  they  have  done  any  thing  for  agriculture,  are  bound  to  say  1 
their  labors  have  been  fully  appreciated.  They  were  the  earliest  Soc; 
in  existence,  and  I  believe  that  from  the  beginning  they  have  been  trea 
with  the  utmost  liberality  as  well  from  the  government  of  the  Comm 
wealth  as  from  the  County  Societies. 

But  I  have  said  more  than  once,  that  if  the  State  Society  has  confei 
any  benefit  upon  the  Commonwealth,  one  of  the  greatest  has  been  this 
that  by  the  impulse  which  they  gave  to  the  study  and  practice  of  agri< 
ture,  whatever  it  may  be  deemed  to  have  been,  they  led  to  the  formal 
of  the  County  Societies.  They  were,  if  they  may  be  allowed  to  call  thi 
selves  as  teachers,  in  the  situation  of  many  other  teachers,  who  very  s 
taught  their  scholars  to  go  beyond  themselves.  The  local  Societies  h 
advantages  which  no  Board  of  a  State  Society,  or  of  any  one  Society 


17 

well  have,  because  the  officers  who  compose  any  one  Board,  though  having 
the  interest  of  the  State  in  view,  cannot  well  be  collected  from  all  parts  of 
the  State,  because  they  cannot  well  meet  without  inconvenience.  I  under- 
stand that  this  resolution  contemplates  that  the  State  Society  shall  be  rep- 
resented as  well  as  the  local  Societies  in  this  Board  which  it  is  now  pro- 
posed to  establish.  I  have  only  to  say  that  any  measure  calculated  to  bring 
together  the  knowledge  which  exists  in  the  agricultural  districts  of  the 
Commonwealth  in  this  way,  or  in  any  other  way,  in  my  opinion  ought  to 
meet  and  would  meet  the  full  concurrence  of  any  member  of  the  State 
Society,  or  of  any  other  Agricultural  Society  in  the  Commonwealth.  I 
am  entirely  satisfied  that  we  have  one  object,  and  I  cannot  see,  for  my  own 
part,  any  thing  in  this  resolution  to  which  th'e  Society  to  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  belong  would  find  any  cause  to  object. 

The  question  was  then  taken  and  the  resolution  adopted. 

Col.  PAGE  then  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  and  Secretaries  of  this  Convention  be  a  Committee 
with  power  to  take  measures  for  the  organization  of  the  Central  Board  of  Agriculture, 
as  recommended  by  the  first  resolve,  and  that  such  Board  be  authorized  to  petition  the 
Legislature  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  if  they  shall  think  it  expedient. 

The  question  was  taken  on  the  third  resolution,  and  it  was  adopted. 
The  sixth  resolution  was  taken  up,  on  which  Mr.  French  spoke  as 
follows  : — 

REMARKS    OF    THE    HON.    B.    V.    FRENCH,    OF    BRAINTREE. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

This  proposition  is  so  expedient,  and  commends  itself  to  the  approbation 
)f  so  many,  that  perhaps  it  should  pass  without  remark.  But  I  can  see 
much  in  it  to  interest  every  mind.  We  should  have  an  organization  which 
;an  combine  and  unite  the  interests  of  the  several  Societies,  by  means  of 
which  communications  can  be  kept  up  between  them.  In  New  York  this 
s  left  with  the  Secretary,  who  corresponds  with  the  other  organizations 
md  looks  after  the  interests  of  the  various  Societies.  A  few  evenings 
since,  this  proposition  was  suggested  to  me,  and  it  struck  me  that  we  did 
vant  a  place  which  would  answer  for  a  kind  of  head-quarters,  where  we 
:ould  exhibit  agricultural  implements,  models  of  every  thing  that  could  in- 
erest  the  farmer,  such  as  a  Committee  could  approve  of,  and  where  a  per- 
lon  can  go  and  see  the  instrument  which  is  most  valued  by  the  Committee, 
think  this  is  a  resolve  that  is  calculated  to  do  an  immense  amount  of  good 
o  the  cause. 

HON.  GEORGE  DENNY. — The  resolve  was  considered  a  very  innocent 
me, — that  agriculture  was  of  so  much  importance  that  it  demanded  the 
iame  stand  among  the  people  that  the  other  branches  of  education  had. 
Phe  machinery  which  sometimes  should  be  connected  with  it  was  not  de- 
ermined  upon,  but  was  left  to  the  future. 
3 


18 

HON.  EDWARD  L.  KEYES. — These  resolutions,  it  may  have  occurrei 
the  gentlemen  who  have  seen  the  report  of  the  late  commission,  are 
"based  on  that  report.  This  resolution  is  but  one  of  their  recommendatii 
It  is,  simply,  that  a  State  department  of  agriculture  should  be  establisl 
Of  course,  the  details  are  to  be  in  accordance  with  the  purposes  and  obj 
of  the  department.  The  department  of  the  militia  has  its  Adjutant-Gem 
and  its  arsenal.  The  educational  department  has  a  Board  of  Educat 
and  Secretary,  and  agents.  It  is  proposed  that  this  department  of  agri 
culture  shall  have  a  Board,  and  a  Secretary,  who  shall  lecture,  collect 
tistics  in  relation  to  agriculture,  make  digests  of  the  reports,  and  pub 
such  facts  and  statistics  as  will  be  necessary  to  promote  the  welfare  of  a 
culture.  This  resolution  simply  acknowledges  the  principle.  The  del 
are  to  be  arranged,  provided  the  principle  is  adopted,  by  persons  hav 
charge  of  that  matter. 

SPEECH     OF     J.     H.     W.     PAGE,     ESQ.,     PRESIDENT     OF     THE     BRIS1 
COUNTY   AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT— 

When  the  resolutions  were  prepared,  I  think  that  this  one  had  a  dii 
ent  order  from  that  which  it  now  holds.  It  probably  depended,  when  ad< 
ed,  somewhat  upon  some  resolutions  which  are  now  placed  last  in  order 
consideration.  But  as  it  does  not  seem  to  be  clearly  understood,  I 
leave  to  explain  what  I  understand  it  to  mean.  Perhaps  there  is  no  o 
person  who  understands  it  as  I  do.  The  views  which  I  throw  out  wil 
crude  ones,  and  may  pass  for  what  they  are  worth. 

The  report  of  the  agricultural  commission  has  not  fallen  into  the  he 
of  many  gentlemen  in  the  remote  part  of  the  State.  How  fully  it  has  b 
understood  in  this  part  of  the  Commonwealth,  I  am  unable  to  say.  B 
beg  leave  to  read  a  section  to  which  this  resolution  has  reference.  The 
tion  refers  to  a  plan  for  the  promotion  of  agricultural  education,  that  | 
before  it,  but  will  be  sufficiently  intelligible  by  itself. 

Section  third  is  as  follows  : — "  The  undersigned  recommend  the  es 
lishment  of  a  State  department  of  agriculture,  to  consist  of  a  Board  of  C 
missioners  and  a  Secretary,  whom  they  shall  annually  appoint,  which  B< 
shall  sustain  a  similar  relation  to  agriculture  and  the  schools  connected  ' 
it,  as  the  Board  and  Secretary  of  Education  do  to  primary  schools." 

This  recommendation  of  the  Commissioners,  sir,  as  I  said  before, 
reference  to  a  previous  recommendation  of  theirs  for  the  establishment  o 
agricultural  college  or  a  system  of  agricultural  schools.  And  a  part  of 
recommendations  in  this  section  would  presuppose  the  existence  of  sue! 
institutions,  and  a  part  of  the  duties  would  be  dependent  on  such  existe 
But,  sir,  it  occurs  to  me,  that  whether  an  agricultural  college  or  an  agri 
tural  school  of  any  class  shall  or  shall  not  be  established,  there  is  ms 
worthy  of  consideration  presented  by  this  resolve.  A  large  class  of  dt 
are  assigned  to  that  Secretary,  which  might  well  be  performed,  and  to 


19 

great  benefit  of  the  Commonwealth.  If  these  colleges  do  not  exist ;  sup- 
pose none  of  the  institutions  are  ever  established  ;  there  are  duties  there 
which  would  be  profitable,  if  faithfully  performed  in  my  part  of  the  State, 
and  I  apprehend  elsewhere  also. 

"  The  duty  of  the  Secretary  shall  be,  under  the  direction  of  the  Board, 
to  give  lectures  in  various  parts  of  the  Commonwealth  whenever  it  may  be 
deemed  expedient,  on  the  science  and  practice  of  agriculture."  That  sub- 
ject has  been  hinted  at  again  and  again  at  agricultural  meetings  for  years. 
The  hint  is  thrown  out  in  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment,  when  the  people 
are  thoughts  be  more  agriculturally  inclined  than  at  any  other  time,  and 
then  is  forgotten. 

A  wise  man  going  among  the  people  would  do  undoubtedly  a  vast  deal  of 
good  to  the  farmers  and  to  their  sons.  I  am  of  the  opinion,  that  the  estab- 
lishment of  such  a  Secretaryship,  in  efficient  hands,  would  be  as  effective 
an  instrument  as  could  be  established  for  the  improvement  of  agriculture. 

Sir,  our  young  men  want  something  more  than  their  fathers  know  how 
to  teach.  What  is  known  now  by  the  farmer  about  farming  ?  Precisely 
what  was  known  about  it  fifty  years  ago,  with  very  little  variation  !  I 
heard  an  anecdote  from  one  of  the  Committee  to-day  which  illustrates  the 
position  of  our  young  men.  They  are  intelligent,  and  like  to  know  some- 
thing as  well  as  to  do  something.  The  anecdote  is  this.  A  wealthy 
farmer,  with  a  large  farm,  died  recently  in  this  vicinity.  He  left  five  sons, 
ranging  from  ten  years,  upward.  He  is  hardly  cold  in  his  grave  before 
they  determine  to  give  the  farm  up.  When  remonstrated  with  they  say, 
"  We  want  to  know  something.  We  shall  know  just  as  much  as  our  fathers 
did,  and  we  wish  to  know  more."  Now  it  is  a  fact  that  our  young  men 
want  to  know  more  than  their  fathers.  It  is  desirable  that  this  knowledge 
shall  not  be  like  the  Indians'  knowledge,  traditionary,  handed  down  from 
generation  to  generation.  But  we  want  the  printed  page  that  the  farmer 
can  take  in  his  hands  as  he  sits  by  his  fireside,  and  that  his  sons  can  take  in 
their  hands  in  their  leisure  hours, — the  printed  page,  upon  which  are  the 
results  of  the  practical  knowledge  of  wise  men,  brought  to  bear  distinctly 
upon  this  subject.  Now  I  pray  to  ask,  if  you  do  nothing  else  here  for  this 
vastly  neglected  branch  of  industry,  how  you  can  do  a  better  thing  than  to 
say  that  you  will  send  out  into  the  community  just  such  a  man  as  is  spoken 
of  here.  He  will  not  only  carry  knowledge  to  the  young  men,  but  he  will 
create  a  thirst  for  knowledge.  I  think  that  the  time  is  ripe  for  this,  and 
much  more.  But  to  confine  myself  to  this  matter.  I  think  that  the  time 
is  ripe  for  the  Commonwealth  to  take  this  step,  at  least,  and  that  the  peo- 
ple will  say  amen  to  their  action,  however  liberal,  in  sending  them  such 
knowledge  as  that. 

Well,  sir,  that  is  one  thing  that  the  Secretary  will  do.  He  will  go 
forth  as  a  scientific  and  practical  farmer,  to  enlighten  the  people  through- 
out the  Commonwealth.  He  will  carry  information  and  he  will  gain  in- 
formation. But,  then,  it  is  proposed  that  he  shall  "  receive  the  returns  of 
the  incorporated  Agricultural  Societies,  and  make  a  digest  of  the  same  in 


20 

the  form  of  an  annual  report  to  the  Legislature,"  instead  of  having  it 
duty  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,  who  has,  I  believe,  alw 
delegated  it  to  other  hands,  who  have  annually  formed  an  abstract  ; 
thrown  it  through  the  press.  The  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
enough  to  do.  He  never  has  done  this  duty  personally,  and  I  think 
never  will  do  it  except  through  other  agencies.  It  is  proposed  to  plac 
in  the  hands  of  a  man  whose  life  is  agricultural,  the  breath  of  whose  r 
trils  is  agriculture,  who  eats  it  and  drinks  it,  and  who  is  given  up  to  aj 
culture,  accomplished  in  it  throughout.  Make  it  his  duty  to  do  it,  an 
will  venture  to  say  that  it  will  be  not  only  as  good  a  book  as  is  now  j 
duced,  but  one  which  will  be  read  throughout  the  Commonwealth, 
will  contribute  to  make  it  better  in  this  way.  He  will  suggest  to  the  Ic 
Societies  what  are  the  subjects  to  which  their  minds  should  be  direci 
He  will  have  the  elements  in  a  far  better  condition  than  the  Secretary 
the  Commonwealth  has  ever  received  them  from  the  Secretaries  of 
Agricultural  Societies. 

The  Secretary  is  required  "  To  collect  agricultural  statistics  and  infon 
tion  in  the  various  departments  of  this  science ;  to  correspond  with  1( 
Societies  in  this  and  other  lands."  When  gentlemen  read  this  repor 
the  agricultural  commission,  they  will  find  a  vast  amount  of  infonnatioi 
it.  When  I  took  it  up,  I  did  not  lay  it  down  till  I  had  read  it  through, 
have  been  practically  acquainted  with  agriculture  all  my  life,  and  I  thou 
I  knew  a  little  of  what  has  been  done  in  this  country  and  on  the  other  s 
of  the  Atlantic.  But  when  I  had  read  that  book,  I  came  to  the  conclus 
that  I  did  not  know  any  thing  about  it.  I  think  others  will  find  out 
same,  though  they  may  not  be  as  ignorant  as  I  was.  He  is  to  "  cor 
pond  with  local  Societies  in  this  and  other  lands  ;"  perhaps  to  con 
pond  with  other  Governments,  and  find  out  what  the  Autocrat  of  all 
Russias,  the  President  of  the  French  Government,  the  rulers  of  all  th 
little  dependencies  in  Germany,  and  what  even  Queen  Victoria  thinke 
this  point.  Sir,  I  have  wandered  from  the  subject,  but  you  have 
brought  your  hammer  down  yet. 

Here  is  an  instrument  by  means  of  which  the  Secretary  can  get  infon 
tion  from  all  over  the  world,  and  this  little  report  will  tell  him  where 
can  get  his  information.  He  will  produce  a  volume  which  will  be  valua 
to  the  practical  farmers,  and  not  to  the  book-farmers  alone,  (though  I  sp 
that  word  with  a  great  deal  of  respect,  and  not  with  the  sneers  which  sc 
have  used,)  applicable  to  all  farmers  all  over  Massachusetts. 

The  Secretary  shall  have  it  a  part  of  his  duty  to  devise  the  means  of 
proving  agriculture  in  general  throughout  the  Commonwealth.     Well, 
if  the  government  of  the  Commonwealth  should,  in  their  wisdom,  see  fi 
establish  an  agricultural  college  and  an  agricultural  school,  it  seems  to 
that  this  thing  would  be  necessary.     This  kind  of  organization,  this  bun 
of  the  Government  would  be  necessary  in   order  to  carry  that  plan  i 
effective  operation,  and  to  bring  it  to  a  point  so  that  it  can  act  in  connect 
•with  the  local  Societies  that  now  exist,     If  those  schools  are  not  establi 


21 

id,  then  this  precise  thing,  so  far  as  it  can  be  applicable,  is  needed  by  the 
>eople  of  this  Commonwealth  in  order  to  bring  to  a  focus  the  information 
hat  is  had  now  and  is  to  be  had  all  through  the  State,  and  to  put  life  into 
>ur  Societies  and  make  them  more  activ§  in  promoting  the  cause  of  agri- 
ulture. 

REMARKS    OF    THE    HON.    MR.    BROOKS,    OF    PRINCETON. 

JR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  am  very  loath  to  rise  in  this  meeting.  I  do  not  know  as  I  shall  say 
ny  thing  to  the  purpose,  not  being  accustomed  to  speak  in  public. 
Phis  resolution  seems  to  squint  towards  a  college.  If  it  has  that  ten- 
ency,  I  shall  be  opposed  to  it ;  for  I  do  not  believe  that  the  farmers  are 
repared  to  spend  money  in  instituting  a  college.  I  think  it  would  do  them 
o  good  whatever.  This  resolution  seems  to  interfere  with  one  which  has 
ist  passed.  We  have  passed  a  resolution  for  a  Central  Board,  making  it 
heir  duty  to  collect  this  very  information  and  compile  it  into  a  book.  It 
eems  to  be  the  same  duty  here.  If  that  is  the  case,  two  such  resolutions 
re  not  necessary.  As  for  lecturing  to  the  people,  I  doubt  whether  that  is 
dvantageous  for  the  very  best  reason  to  my  mind  in  the  world, — that  the 
jcturer  will  not  know  what  to  say  ;  that  he  has  no  data  on  which  to  make 
ut  any  speech,  beacuse  science,  as  I  understand  it,  is  based  upon  facts. 
Vhat  facts  has  this  Commissioner  that  are  applicable  to  agriculture  in  this 
State?  I  say,  sir,  generally  speaking,  no  fact.  And  why,  &ir?  Because 
ic  science  of  agriculture  has  not  yet  grown  up  in  this  country.  We  are 
ependent  entirely  upon  Europe,  as  I  understand  it,  for  our  agricultural 
cience.  You  may  pile  this  room  full  of  European  agricultural  books,  and 
ou  may  condense  all  the  knowledge  which  they  contain  applicable  to  this 
ountry  into  a  primer.  Therefore,  if  this  gentleman  goes  out  to  lecture, 
e  has  nothing  to  found  his  lecture  upon.  And  to  be  dependent  upon 
Europe  is  of  little  or  no  use  to  us,  inasmuch  as  our  circumstances,  our 
icts,  our  influences  are  entirely  different  in  connection  with  agriculture 
ere,  from  what  they  are  in  Great  Britain  or  in  Europe. 

I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  reading  the  report  of  the  Commissioner, 
did  not  get  it  into  my  hands  till  yesterday  afternoon.  But  I  understand  it 
ives  an  account  of  a  vast  number  of  agricultural  schools  in  Europe.  Sup- 
ose  we  take  the  Prussian  system  ;  do  you  believe  it  can  be  carried  out 
ere?  I  believe  that  the  farmers  will  not  agree  that  it  can  do  good.  For 
tat  reason,  and  for  the  reason  that  I  have  said  that  we  have  no  science  yet 
trmed,  it  seems  to  me  that  an  agricultural  school  cannot  be  a  benefit. 

There  is  another  reason.  We  must  begin  at  the  end  ;  that  is,  we  must 
3gin  at  the  bottom.  We  must  create  ourselves.  This  Board,  so  far  as  it 
light  be  made  useful,  is  a  very  good  thing,  sir;  and  if  it  does  not  squint 
>wards  a  college,  1  might  be  in  favor  of  it.  It  might  be  useful  in  collect- 
ig  information  all  over  the  State.  The  gentleman  says  that  young  men 
sandon  their  farms  because  they  cannot  improve.  Perhaps  that  may  be 


22 

the  case.  If  so,  it  is  for  the  reason  that  I  have  said, — that  we  hav 
science.  We  have  no  data  to  go  upon.  We  have  only  our  own 
perience. 

• 
SPEECH    OF    PROFESSOR    WILLIAM    C.    FOWLER,    OF   AMHERST. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

It  has  already  been  distinctly  stated,  and,  as  I  believe,  generally  dist 
ly  understood,  that  whether  there  should  be  any  schools  established  or 
whether  there  should  be  any  college  established  or  not,  a  Central  Board, : 
as  is  contemplated  in  this  resolution,  may  be  of  great  service  to  the  pe 
in  this  State  and  to  the  agricultural  interests  of  this  State.  I  beli 
therefore,  that  the  gentleman  who  has  just  spoken  can  consistently  voti 
this  resolution  irrespective  of  any  future  decision  as  to  the  establishmei 
a  college  or  of  schools  for  the  promotion  of  agriculture. 

We  have  no  American  science,  it  is  said  ;  we  have  no  Massachu 
science,  it  is  said,  on  the  subject  of  agriculture.  Mr.  Chairman,  I 
leave  to  say  that  science  is  the  same  the  world  over. 

Mr.  Brooks. — I  say  we  have  no  science,  because  the  science  of  agr 
ture  in  Europe  is  not  applicable  to  our  condition. 

Mr.  Fowler. — Science  is,  in  itself,  the  same  the  world  over.  In  its  app 
tions  it  may  be  varied  according  to  circumstances.  The  application  of  sci 
to  agriculture  in  this  country  may  vary  from  its  application  in  Englam 
consequence  of  the  peculiar  circumstances  connected  with  our  climate  or 
We  must,  therefore,  first  determine  what  these  peculiar  circumstances 
and  then  we  shall  know  how  to  employ  science  in  aid  of  agriculture  ir 
own  country.  If  it  be  true,  as  the  gentleman  says,  that  we  have  no  A 
ican  science  and  no  Massachusetts  science,  then  upon  this  assumptic 
his,  the  very  first  thing  which  we  ought  to  do  is  to  have  an  Americar 
ence,  and  a  Massachusetts  science.  (Applause.) 

But  leaving  the  ground  assumed  by  the  gentleman,  I  come  back  t< 
true  ground,  namely,  that  science  is  the  same  all  over  the  world.  It  ii 
business  to  see  to  it  that  its  applications  to  the  art  of  agriculture  in  Mi 
chusetts  are  such  as  they  ought  to  be.  In  the  first  stages  of  civiliza 
art  precedes,  science  follows.  In  the  advanced  stages  of  civilization, 
ence  precedes,  art  follows.  All  the  higher  processes  of  the  useful 
are  dependent  on  science.  t 

There  have  been,  Mr.  President,  as  you  well  know,  immense  addi 
made  during  the  last  fifty  years  to  science  in  general,  and  to  those  par 
larscienc.es  which  relate  to  agriculture.  This  is  true  of  chemistry,  ofgeo] 
of  mineralogy,  of  botany,  and  vegetable  physiology,  of  zoology  and  ar 
physiology.  Accordingly,  the  Governments  of  Europe,  as  we  learn  b; 
excellent  report  of  the  agricultural  commission,  lately  published,  are  e: 
sively  taking  measures,  by  means  of  agricultural  colleges  and  schools. 


23 

apply  these  sciences  to  the  art  of  agriculture,  and  next,  to  communicate 
:tensively  a  knowledge  of  the  applications  thus  made,  for  the  general 
inefit  of  the  profession  of  agriculture.  I  would  take  the  liberty  to  recom- 
end  to  the  worthy  gentleman  who  last  spoke,  to  read  this  jeport  hefore  he 
akes  objections  to  a  plan  for  the  improvement  of  agriculture  in  Massachu- 
tts,  based  on  that  report.  You  need  only  to  read  this  work,  or  one  of  the 
ports  of  the  Patent  Office,  or  the  better  class  of  agricultural  newspapers, 
order  to  know  that  there  have  been  immense  additions  to  agricultural  sci- 
ice,  strictly  so  called,  and  U>  those  sciences  in  general  which  may  be  ap- 
ied  to  the  art  of  agriculture. 

The  fact,  indeed,  seems  to  be  generally  admitted  that  there  has,  in  one 
larter  and  another, — among  men  of  science  and  the  cultivators  of  the  soil, 
-been  a  great  increase  of  knowledge,  both  theoretical  and  practical,  on 
is  subject.  But  the  light  is  scattered,  not  concentrated,  and,  therefore, 
»t  effectual.  It  is  light  such  as  has,  by  some,  been  supposed  to  exist  after 
od  said,  "  Let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light,"  and  before  the  sun 
as  created.  According  to  this  theory,  they  suppose  that  the  light  thus 
ffused  through  space,  thus  ineffectual,  thus  incapable  of  being  applied  to 
ly  useful  purpose,  was  collected  by  the  Creator  and  concentrated  in  the 
n,  which  he  "  set  in  the  fimament  of  the  heaven,  to  give  light  upon  the 
rth,"  so  that  "  the  greater  light  should  rule  the  day,  and  the  lesser  light 
e  night,"  and  order  thus  be  brought  out  of  chaos. 

Something  like  this  may  be  true  of  the  science  and  of  the  practical  skill 
hich  is  scattered  over  the  land  and  the  world.  What  we  need  is  an  organi- 
ition,  under  the  authority  of  the  State,  which  shall  collect  this  scattered 
sjht,  whether  in  this  or  in  another  hemisphere,  so  that  it  shall  be- 
•me  effectual,  and  not  any  longer  be  "  light  shining  in  darkness,  and 
ie  darkness  comprehending  it  not."  What  we  need  is  an  organization 
hich  shall  collect  the  light  of  science  and  of  practical  experience  into  an 
gricultural  Institution,  as  into  a  focus,  from  which  it  can  go  forth,  as  from 
radiant  point,  over  the  Commonwealth  and  the  country,  and,  if  you 
ease,  the  world. 

I  trust,  therefore,  Mr.  President,  that  the  gentleman,  distinguished  as  he 
for  his  zeal  and  success  in  farming,  admitting,  as  he  does,  the  importance 
r  having  a  Board  of  Agriculture  established,  will  unite  with  us  in  sustain- 
ig  the  resolution. 

SPEECH  OF  JUDGE  MACK,  OF  SALEM. 
[R.  PRESIDENT — 

It  has  been  said,  sir,  that  we  have  no  science.  It  is  too  true  that  we 
ave  not  science  on  the  subject  of  agriculture  in  Massachusetts.  And  this 
;ct  makes  it  imperative  that  we  take  some  means  by  which  we  can  collect 
icts.  All  science  has  been  built  up  upon  facts.  And  unless  we  take  mea- 
ires  to  collect  them  upon  the  subject  of  agriculture,  we  never  shall  have 
ly  science  here.  There  is  science  enough  upon  the  subject  of  agriculture 


24 

in  the  world  ;  but  it  is  not  fitted  to  our  own  circumstances.  What, 
shall  we  do?  We  should  collect  facts  and  apply  them  to  our  own  situ 
How  is  this  to  be  done  1  Have  we  means  to  accomplish  this  ?  I  thir 
history  of  our  Agricultural  Societies  shows  that  we  have  not  hac 
means  adequate  to  this  purpose.  I  think  there  has  been  more  said 
done  by  our  Agricultural  Societies. 

I  remember  to  have  attended  the  first  Agricultural  Society  that  I  bi 
ever  met  in  this  Commonwealth.  It  was  in  Berkshire  County;  and,  i 
recollections  are  correct,  there  were  many  things  as  far  advanced  a 
time  as  they  are  at  present.  I  saw  as  good  an  exhibition  of  cattle 
with  a  few  exceptions, — consisting  of  the  English  breeds  introduced  b 
State  Society, — as  I  have  seen  since.  After  all  the  parade  of  Agricu 
Societies,  why  is  it  that  we  still  remain  stationary  ? 

I  would  allude  to  the  remarks  made  by  the  President,  in  the  other  i 
this  forenoon.  It  does  appear  from  those  statistics  that  we  have  nol 
gressed.  We  have  had  a  great  deal  of  talk.  We  have  not  made  adva 
And  why  is  this  ?  Every  thing  that  we  have  done  is  loose.  We  me 
gether  and  talk  about  crops  and  cattle,  and  there  is  nothing  specified 
there  is  an  application  made  for  a  premium,  the  details  of  the  improve 
are  not  so  specific,  so  determined,  that  we  can  apply  them  in  other  c 
Nobody  can  apply  them  better,  even  after  the  explanation  is  give 
which  the  large  crops  have  been  raised.  We  cannot  apply  them  any 
accurately  to  practice  than  before  the  experiments  were  made.  The  re 
is,  we  do  not  make  our  experiments  specific  enough.  We  do  not  deter 
exactly  the  process  by  which  .they  are  done.  We  want  that  know] 
that  can  be  obtained  by  experience.  Speculations  are  worth  nothing, 
want  something  that  will  put  the  thing  to  the  test.  The  remarks  upoi 
right  and  left  have  been  the  cause  of  my  rising. 

It  occurs  to  me  that  the  cause  of  our  failure,  after  so  much  battling 
that  we  have  not  reduced  things  to  practice  by  actual  experiment, 
crop  is  to  be  raised,  and  the  result  a  certain  amount  is  produced  wi 
much  manure  and  so  many  days'  work,  we  find  perhaps  that  another 
of  equal  value  and  equal  quantity  may  be  produced  on  a  different  kir 
land  ;  and  you  have  nothing  to  show  which  is  the  best  way.  It  seer 
me  that  this  is  the  thing  we  want.  This  jistitution,  which  it  is  prop 
to  establish,  will  be  the  instrument  to  produce  this.  You  must  mak< 
periments,  exhibit  them,  and  show^  what  results  can  be  produced  in 
way  and  what  in  that  way.  If  we  can  furnish  information  from  o 
countries,  modify  it  so  as  to  make  it  applicable  to  our  own  situation,  s 
wherein  it  is  not  applicable,  and  gain  what  we  can  from  it,  we  sha! 
much  by  the  establishment  of  this  institution  towards  the  result  whicl 
desire. 


25 


REMARKS    OF    RICHARD    BAGG,    JR.,    ESQ.,    OF'  WEST    SPRINGFIELD. 

MR.  PRESIDENT  — 

Sir,  bred  to  the  pursuits  of  agriculture,  I  am  content  to  be  reckoned 
imong  her  people. 

We  do  not,  perhaps,  appreciate  science  as  a  help  to  agriculture.  We 
ire  not  familiar  with  the  language  of  science.  We  are  almost  astounded 
ly  the  name.  We  are,  however,  accustomed  to  labor  y  and  note  its  results, 
ind  sometimes  we  venture  to  compare  the  present  with  the  past,  and  in  this 
vay  endeavor  to  determine  our  course  and  measure  our  progress.  Have  we 
nade  no  progress  ?  Why,  sir,  the  country  that  not  "  long  ago  "  luxuri- 
ited  in  her  native  wilderness,  now  glories  in  her  matchless  might,  her  un- 
neasured  power,  her  unequalled  privileges,  —  she  counts  her  children  by 
nillions,  and  justly  boasts  that  their  habitations  are  the  abodes  of  elegance 
,nd  refinement.  This  is  our  country,  —  we  are  her  children. 

Sir,  LABOR,  GDIDKD  BY  INTELLIGENCE,  has  done  this.  The  talismanic  in- 
luence  of  labor,  guided  by  intelligence,  is  seen  in  every  part  of  New  Eng- 
and,  and  this  eulogium  pertains  to  those  who  inhabit  her  hills  and  cultivate 
er  valleys  as  well  as  those  who  people  her  thousand  villages  and  her  more 
oted  marts  of  trade.  Is  this  science  ? 

Brethren  of  the  Plough,  —  Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves  by  supposing  that 
w  have  a  separate  interest.  Let  us  not  be  seduced  from  "  following  the 
ild  paths," 

"  The  ways  our  fathers  trod/' 


have  literally  "  dropped  fatness,"  and  which  are  known  to  point  in 
tie  right  direction,  for  others  of  doubtful  issue.  Let  us  rather  hasten  on,  — 
IGHT  on, 

—  "  As  the  eagles  fly, 
Right  on  to  a  glorious  destiny." 

SPEECH    OF    THE    HON.    AMASA    WALKER. 

IR.  PRESIDENT  — 

Before  we  admit  that  confusion  exists  in  relation  to  agriculture,  and  all 
lis  chaos  which  the  learned  gentleman  from  Amherst  supposes,  the  ques- 
on  naturally  arises,  how  happens  it  that,  at  this  late  period,  there  should 
e  so  much  chaos  and  confusion  with  reference  to  agriculture  ?  For  I  be- 
eve  that  they  do  exist  ;  that  there  is  all  this  chaos,  confusion,  uncertainty 
nd  the  want  of  application  of  true  science  to  agriculture.  And  why,  sir? 
have  had  occasion  to  notice  recently  some  very  good  reasons  why  all  this 
hould  be  true  ;  and  the  general  reason  is  this,  sir. 

We  have  a  great  number  of  Agricultural  Societies  in  different  parts  of 
le  Commonwealth.  Those  Societies  carry  on  their  operations  through 
le  year.  They  have  their  exhibitions.  They  offer  their  premiums. 
4 


26 

They  have  their  reports.  And  what  does  it  all  amount  to  ?  It  amount 
this, — that  all  these  different  Societies,  as  a  general  remark,  have  t 
operating  upon  different  principles,  that  is,  without  any  well  establis 
and  uniform  principle  ;  and  hence  they  do  not  arrive  at  any  well  establis 
and  uniform  results. 

For  instance,  in  the  article  of  Indian  corn,  what  do  we  ascertain  frorr 
the  reports  of  all  the  Agricultural  Spcieties  in  this  State?  We  ascer 
nothing  that  is  true  in  regard  to  any  one  point  in  regard  to  the  raising  of 
dian  corn  in  this  Commonwealth,  because  we  have  no  uniform  systen 
which  statistics  are  made.  For  instance,  in  one  Society  they  hav 
weighed,  and  in  others  measured  ;  and  in  three  Societies  that  I  know 
they  include  a  portion  of  the  stalks,  allowing  seventy-five  pounds  to 
bushel.  Statistics  which  must  be  based  on  such  various  methods  of  as 
taining  the  quantity  of  an  article  raised,  do  not  establish  any  thing. 

Just  so  in  relation  to  the  product  of  milch  cows  !  We  have  no  statis 
which  can  be  brought  all  together,  by  which  an  average  can  be  made  of 
product  in  different  parts  of  the  Commonwealth.  My  learned  friend,  f 
Amherst,  used  the  right  figure,  "  perfect  chaos."  It  proves  nothing. 

This  is  the  fact  in  relation  to  agriculture  so  far  as  I  understand  the  i 
ter.  If  this  be  the  fact,  what  must  be  done  ?  What  is  contemplated  in 
resolution?  A  Central  Board  !  A  Board  of  Agricultural  Education! 
Board  of  Agricultural  Statistics  !  A  Board  which  shall  establish  a 
formity  of  action  among  all  the  Societies,  so  that  their  statistics  will 
valuable.  We  all  feel  the  vast  importance  that  has  been  given  to 
cause  of  education  by  the  establishment  of  the  Massachusetts  Board  of  I 
cation,  and  the  vast  improvement  that  has  been  produced  in  our  comi 
schools  in  consequence  of  the  action  of  that  Board.  I  suppose  we  I 
there  a  Board  similar  to  what  is  wanted  in  agriculture,  if  we  wish  to 
complish  what  our  friend  from  Worcester  County  desires, — a  Board  wl 
shall  establish  uniform  returns  from  all  the  Counties, 

We  do  establish  such  a  Board  with  regard  to  education.  Every  dis 
school  in  this  Commonwealth  has  to  make  its  returns  precisely  on  the  s 
data  and  the  same  principle.  Then  we  can  make  out  our  aggregates, 
can  make  our  deductions,  and  we  can  learn  lessons  of  wisdom  in  relatio 
our  schools.  Now  I  suppose  that  precisely  this  is  wanting  with  regar 
agriculture.  And  since  this  State  makes  liberal  grants  every  year 
Agricultural  Societies,  would  it  not  be  right,  would  it  not  be  expedi 
that  the  State  should  require  systematic  and  regular  returns,  the  sam< 
are  made  from  the  common  schools  ;  and  unless  those  returns  are  a 
rately  made,  according  to  the  prescribed  form,  that  the  Society  should 
receive  the  bounty  of  the  State.  Without  that,  I  have  no  hope  of 
thing  being  done. 

From  the  position  in  which  I  stand,  [Secretary  of  the  Commonweal 
I  have  had  this  subject  brought  home  to  me.  The  returns  have  been 
to  me.  They  are  all  chaos.  But  by  the  assistance  of  a  very  able  gei 
man,  a  sort  of  collection  has  been  made  from  the  returns  of  all  the  S< 


ties.  They  are  somewhat  interesting,  at  least,  but  they  do  not  prove  any 
thing.  And  my  mind  has  come  to  the  conlusion,  very  recently,  that  if  we 
hope  for  any  progress  in  agriculture,  we  must  have  a  Central  Board  ;  we 
must  have  every  thing  arranged  as  it  is  in  the  Common  School  Board  ;  and 
we  must  have  one  mind  devoted  altogether  to  agriculture.  Out  of  the  mil- 
lion we  can  easily  spare  a  single  mind.  What  mind  in  the  Commonwealth 
is  devoted  entirely  to  agriculture,  I  mean  to  the  broad  field  of  agriculture, 
to  the  theory  and  practice  of  agriculture  ?  I  do  not  know  any  such  one. 
Is  the  President  of  any  of  our  Agricultural  Societies,  or  the  Secretary,  or 
the  Treasurer,  thus  devoted  ?  No!  They  do  what  they  can,  and  we  are 
much  obliged  to  them  for  it.  But  we  want  one  mind  devoted  to  the  subject. 
You  have  seen  what  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Education  accom- 
plished. It  surprised  us  all.  Yet  1  think  far  greater  results  would  be  ac- 
complished if  we  had  a  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture,  who  should 
lecture,  who  should  try  to  ascertain  facts,  and  who  should  try  to  awaken  a 
general  interest  in  the  subject  of  agriculture.  If  this  were  the  case,  it* 
such  a  Secretaryship  were  established  and  sustained,  and  such  a  Board 
established,  nothing  than  that  could  be  more  gratifying  to  the  farmers  of 
the  State. 


SPEECH     OF     HON.     DR.    GARDNER, .  EX-PRESIDENT     OF     THE     BRISTOL 
COUNTY   AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

There  are  so  many  gentlemen  who  wish  to  speak,  that  I  shall  detain  the 
Convention  but  a  moment.  I  felt  constrained  to  say  something,  because  I 
was  highly  gratified  at  the  remarks  reiterated  again  by  my  worthy  friend 
from  Princeton.  The  other  evening  we  had  a  preliminary  discussion,  and 
my  honorable  friend  from  Princeton  and  myself  had  a  little  controversy  in 
that  meeting.  The  gentleman  stated  then,  as  he  does  now,  that  European 
science  and  American  science  are  very  different.  At  that  time,  being  very 
modest,  I  hesitated  very  much  to  question  the  gentleman's  accuracy.  But 
I  did  suppose  then  that  science  was  science  all  over  the  world.  I  supposed 
that  so  far  as  regards  chemistry,  geology,  and  all  other  sciences  pertaining 
to  agriculture,  what  they  had  learned  in  Europe  we  might  learn  ;  that  a 
chemist  there  analysing  air  and  finding  it  contained  oxygen,  hydrogen,  &c., 
would  merely  find  the  same  article  essentially  which  a  chemist  analysing 
air  here  would  ascertain.  I  supposed  the  same  with  regard  to  agriculture. 
My  worthy  friend  questioned  all  this.  Now  my  main  object  in  rising  was 
to  congratulate  myself  that  my  reverend  friend  from  Amherst  had  backed 
up  my  position. 

I  hope  the  gentleman  from  Princeton  will  not  regard  me  as  personal, 
but  I  am  in  favor  of  science.  I  am  in  favor  of  the  resolutions  also  on 
your  table.  I  have  taken  occasion,  as  I  said  the  other  evening,  to  examine 
the  report  of  the  commission,  and  though  I  was  in  favor  of  some  of  the 


28 

propositions  on  that  occasion,  I  stated  that  I  was  not  in  favor  of  the 
two,  but  was  in  favor  of  the  following  three. 

I  would  establish  this  Board.  I  think  it  would  be  one  of  the  best  th 
we  could  do.  I  do  not  precisely  agree  as  to  the  effect  of  the  local  S( 
ties.  I  believe  they  are  doing  a  vast  good.  I  believe  every  town  ir 
County  of  Bristol  has  felt  the  effects  of  the  Bristol  County  Society.  ] 
lieve  if  you  make  the  additional  pppropriation  of  one  hundred  dollai 
every  Society,  raising  a  thousand  dollars,  that  these  Societies  will  do  n 
more  than  at  present.  I  hope  that  this  Board  of  Agriculture  will  be  ei 
lished  ;  but  I  differ  somewhat, — I  regret  to  say  that  I  differ  at  all,  fro 
part  of  the  report  of  the  Commissioners.  I  am  in  favor  of  striking  c 
single  line.  It  is  this  ; — "  Which  Board  shall  have  power  to  locate, 
ganize  and  put  in  operation  the  college  contemplated  by  the  foregoinj 
commendations."  I  doubt  somewhat  whether  the  people  are  fully  prep 
for  the  college  at  present.  But  I  would  establish  the  Board  and  adopi 
other  recommendations  which  the  learned  commission  have  seen  fi 
propose. 

The  Hon.  Mr.  BROOKS  responded  in  a  few  remarks. 


SPEECH  OF  MR.  WHIFFLE,  OF  MIDDLESEX  COUNTY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

Whatever  those  resolutions  may  have  contemplated,  it  seems  tha 
discussion  has  turned  upon  the  subject  of  education.  I  look  upon  tha 
an  agricultural  point  of  view,  as  of  more  importance  than  any  thing 
that  can  be  suggested.  I  have  paid  some  considerable  attention  to  the 
ject  of  farming  for  a  great  many  years.  My  mode  of  farming  is  diff( 
from  that  of  others.  If  I  should  state  the  result  of  my  mode  of  farmii 
could  not  make  a  farmer  here  believe  it.  There  lies  the  difficulty, 
cannot  make  them  believe  the  truth.  You  have  an  article  appearing  ii 
papers  blackguarding  the  position  you  take.  If  I  say  what  is  true  in 
tion  to  farming,  and  what  I  know  to  be  true,  I  shall  be  contradicted 
at  once. 

Take  the  subject  of  ploughing.  And  when  we  speak  of  that,  we  mi 
speak  of  it  in  connection  with  education.  For  it  is  nothing  more  nor 
than  education  to  know  how  to  raise  a  crop  in  the  easiest  and  best  way 

Much  has  been  said  upon  the  subject  of  science.  Science  is  the  i 
here  as  in  Europe.  But,  sir,  what  attention  have  you  paid  to  science  1: 
I  appeal  to  the  gentleman  on  the  other  side  from  Amherst,  althoug 
has  talked  about  science.  What  does  he  know  about  practical  science 
sir,  am  speaking  of  practical  education  and  of  practical  science,  sir. 

Now,  sir,  get  the  books  into  your  common  schools.  Introduce  che 
try.  Instead  of  delving  into  Colburn's  Arithmetic,  understand  the  natu 
your  soil  according  to  the  laws  of  chemistry.  These  are  the  positic 


29 

\ 

take  in  relation  to  farming.     And  when  the  statement  is  made,  let  the  man 
look  and  judge  for  himself,  and  not  give  us  the  lie.     That  is  what  I  ask. 

Who  pretends  to  know  the  origin  and  the  cause  of  the  potato  rot?  Why 
has  not  every  body  known  the  cause  long  ago  ?  It  is  because  they  have 
not  attended  to  the  subject  properly.  When  I  tell  a  man  the  cause,  he 
don't  believe  it.  If  I  should  state  it  here,  I  should  be  met  with  the  reply, 
"I  don't  believe  it."  ' 

Voices. — "  Let  us  have  it." 

Mr.  Whipple. — You  shall  have  it.  But  I  shall  run  the  risk  of  being 
told,  "  I  do  not  believe  it,"  from  every  farmer  in  the  hall.  I  complain  of 
that  treatment.  Before  you  tell  me  you  do  not  believe  it,  I  ask  you  to  in- 
vestigate it  chemically  and  properly,  and  then  tell  me  whether  it  is  not 
true.  I  can  go  into  that  question,  though  I  suppose  it  is  not  in  accordance 
with  the  resolution. 

The  President. — The  question  is  on  the  establishment  of  a  Board  of  Agri- 
cultural Commissioners  and  a  Secretaryship. 

Mr.  Whipple. — What  is  the  use  of  this  1  Why,  they  say  they  will  give 
a  vast  amount  of  information.  Why,  sir,  who  will  read  it?  They  may 
write  a  long  account  of  the  potato  rot,  about  its  being  caused  by  the  influ- 
ence of  the  atmosphere.  Who  will  believe  it  ?  I  don't.  Of  what  impor- 
tance is  it  to  send  our  children  to  Cambridge  for  an  education  ?  Sir,  it  is  all 
theoretical.  There  is  nothing  practical  there.  Give  us  the  practical  skill, 
and  add  whatever  you  choose  in  farming  or  any  thing  else.  The  potato  rot 
is  the -result  of  an  insect,  which  fixes  itself  upon  the  plant  and  destroys  it. 
Sir,  if  there  be  any  gentleman  here  who  does  not  believe  it,  I  wish  I  could 
have  an  opportunity  to  exhibit  to  him  a  sample  that  I  have  of  a  house  plant. 
I  could  there  show  you  the  insect.  Every  man  who  cultivates  house  plants 
knows  that  they  will  die  under  the  weight  of  insects  unless  they  are  kept  off. 
If  these  insects  will  kill  the  house  plant,  and  if  you  find  the  same  insect 
upon  the  potato  plant,  why  should  not  that  die  also  ?  *  *  * 

Mr.  PAGE,  of  Bristol,  made  a  few  additional  observations. 

Mr.  BROWN,  of  Concord,  made  a  short  and  practical  speech,  suggesting 
that  if  the  Secretary  should  only  present  a  single  new  idea  to  his  auditors 
in  each  of  his  lectures,  it  would  prove  very* valuable  to  the  farmers;  illus- 
trating his  position  by  stating  that  if  he  should  only  teach  them  how  to  an- 
alyse the  soil  in  such  a  way  as  to  be  able  to  determine  what  are  the  con- 
stituents of  a  given  amount  of  earth,  and  what  parts  are  wanting  in  order 
to  make  it  yield  the  largest  crop  of  a  certain  article,  an  incalculable 
amount  of  good  would  be  derived  by  the  community. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned. 


30 


EVENING  SESSION. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  at  7  o'clock,  by  the  President, 
seventh  resolution  having  been  taken  up  for  consideration,  the  Chair  ca 
upon  his  Excellency,  Governor  Boutwell,  who  arose  and  addressed 
Convention  as  follows  : — 

MR.  CHAIRMAN — 

I  hope  that  the  gentlemen  of  the  Convention,  from  the  call  of  their  Pi 
dent,  will  not  infer  that  I  am  here  prepared  to  give  information  upon 
particular  resolutions  before  this  body  or  upon  the  subject  of  agricul 
generally.  It  was  only  since  1  came  into  the  hall,  this  evening,  that  I 
pected  to  speak  ;  and  only  within  the  last  five  minutes,  that  I  knew 
resolution  that  was  to  come  before  you. 

This  resolution  has  reference  to  what  has  been  accomplished  already 
the  Societies  which  exist  in  our  State.  They  constitute  a  part  of  the 
perfect  system  of  agricultural  education.  There  are  various  town  Sc 
ties, — few  in  number  at  present,  but  efficient  in  their  operation, — wl 
constitute  another  part  of  this  system.  And  it  would  seem  expedien 
efforts  are  to  be  made  to  extend  and  elevate  agricultural  education, 
those  means  which  exist  ought  to  be  employed. 

The  first  question  which  a  Convention  of  this  character  would  natur 
consider,  is,  whether  there  is  a  necessity  for  improvement  in  agricult 
education?  And,  upon  this  point,  I  suppose  there  would  not  be  m 
difference  of  opinion  ;  for  it  cannot  but  be  as  true  of  agriculture,  as  of 
department  of  industry,  that  it  is  to  be  advanced  and  perfected  by  the  < 
rations  and  labors  of  intelligent  and  scientific  men. 

It  cannot  be  denied,  that  while  other  departments  of  industry  in 
Commonwealth,  and  in  this  section  of  the  country  to  a  considerable  ext 
have  had  the  benefit  of  scientific  education  and  scientific  improvement,  a 
culture,  in  this  respect,  has  been  almost  entirely  neglected.     If,  then, 
conceded  that  there  is  a  necessity  for  agricultural  education,  and  for 
provement  in  it,  we  are  to  inquire,  Who  are  to  be  the  teachers  ?    What 
the  means  to  be  employed  ?    and,   Who  are  the  men  or  individuals  in 
community  to  be  taught? 

It  would  seem  proper  that  we  should  avail  ourselves,  so  far  as  possi 
of  the  means  which  exist.  We  should  use  what  we  possess,  if  it  be 
cient,  rather  than  attempt  to  create  more  than  is  absolutely  necessi 
Now,  if  we  have  institutions  that  to  any  considerable  extent  can  be  m 
available  for  these  purposes,  for  the  present, — even  though  they  shouh 
inadequate  for  the  future, — I  apprehend  it  would  be  regarded  proper,  or 
hands,  that  we  should  use  those  institutions  and  those  means. 

In  some  countries,  science  may  be  in  the  possession  of  a  few  individi 
in  the  community,  and  may  be  used  in  such  a  way  as  to  control  and  give 
reetion  to  the  manual  labors  of  other  men.  But  in  this  country  scienc 


31 

not  in  that  way  to  be  applied.  We  have  no  masters  controlling  large 
bodies  of  laboring  men.  But  if  we  are  to  educate  the  farmers  of.  this  Com- 
monwealth, it  must  be  by  educating  the  great  mass  of  them.  The  majority 
must  in  some  way  be  reached.  It  will  not  do  to  give  to  certain  individuals 
the  science,  with  the  expectation  that  certain  others  are  to  apply  that  sci- 
ence without  knowing  something  of  the  reasons  which  exist  for  its  appli- 
cation. 

We  are,  then,  to  carry  the  knowledge  to  the  great  mass  of  the  people. 
And  the  question  is,  How  is  it  to  be  done?  If  we  educate  a  few  men,  it 
may  happen,  and  very  likely  will  happen,  that  from  the  nature  of  their  pur- 
suits, they  will  be  unable  to  approach  and  communicate  with  the  mass,  so 
as  to  make  their  knowledge  available  in  this  department  of  industry. 

It  is  not  more  than  twenty  years  since,  that  we  had  two  classes  of 
teachers  in  our  public  schools.  And  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  they 
entirely  failed.  The  one  class  was  composed  of  young  men  sent  out  from 
our  colleges  into  the  interior  towns  and  small  districts  of  the  State  ;  and, 
as  a  general  thing,  it  may  be  said  that  they  failed  to  produce  the  result 
which  good  teachers  ought  to  produce. 

We  had  another  class  which  acted  as  teachers.  They  came  from  the 
mass  of  the  people.  They  possessed  some  of  the  qualifications  for  teach- 
ers, but  they  were  deficient  in  many  particulars.  Neither  of  these  classes 
met  the  wants  of  the  community.  Now  it  may  happen  that  we  shall  con- 
stitute a  class  of  men  who,  in  some  respects,  will  resemble  the  young  men 
who  went  out  from  the  colleges  to  the  district  schools  ;  and  if  we  do,  they 
will  most  certainly  fail  to  accomplish  the  results  which  we  expect. 

We  have  instituted,  with  regard  to  our  common  schools, — and,  I  take 
it,  we  can  reason  somewhat  from  analogy, — we  have  instituted  Normal 
Schools  to  furnish  instruction  to  young  men  and  women  as  teachers.  They 
go  there  for  the  purpose  of  qualifying  themselves  as  teachers.  And,  I 
take  it,  these  institutions  have  accomplished  most  perfectly  the  object  which 
the  State  and  their  patrons  had  in  view  at  their  establishment. 

Now  we  are.  in  some  way  or  another,  to  connect  the  science  of  the  col- 
lege and  the  laboratory  with  the  labor  of  the  farm.  And  the  great  ques- 
tion I  apprehend  is,  How  is  this  to  be  done  !  It  was  said  here,  the  other 
night,  at  the  Legislative  Agricultural  Meeting,  that  if  you  take  young  men 
and  send  them  to  college,  for  the  purpose  of  instructing  them  in  science, 
with  the  expectation  that  they  would  go  out  and  instruct  the  farmers  of  the 
State,  they  would  fail.  I  thought  there  was  some  force  in  the  remark. 

Now  we  want,  in  the  agricultural  system  of  education,  a  class  of  men 
who  shall  combine  the  science  of  the  school  with  the  labor  of  the  farm. 
Now,  to  my  mind,  it, is  apparent  that  they  must  be  drawn  in  the  main  from 
among  the  farmers  themselves. 

You  must  begin  with  the  farmers,  and  work  up, — infusing  into  the  great 
mass  of  the  people  an  increasing  desire  for  scientific  knowledge,  which 
shall  enable  them  to  apply  agricultural  sciences  to  agriculture  itself. 

In  what  way,  then,  can  you  reach  the  great  body  of  the  farmers  of  the 


32 

State  most  effectively  ?  I  think  we  may  do  it  by  using,  to  some  extent, 
Agricultural  Institutions  which  exist, — the  Town  Societies  and  the  Cou 
Societies.  As  in  the  common  school  system,  the  people  have  been  lei 
maintain  it  voluntarily,  so,  I  take  it,  the  agricultural  system  of  educatio 
to  be  maintained  voluntarily  in  the  small  communities  of  the  State.  "! 
cannot  establish  any  great  system,  which  shall  act  upon  the  people  dire< 
and  exclusively.  You  may  encourage  agriculture,  but  its  support  n 
come  from  them. 

We  have  a  school  fund  to  encourage  education.  It  furnishes  a  sn 
amount  only  to  each  child  ;  but  it  has  encouraged  education  to  such  an 
tent,  that  most  of  the  towns  make  liberal  appropriations  to  the  suppor 
schools.  It  is  generally  believed  that,  if  we  had  a  fund  so  large  that  its 
come  would  equal  in  amount  the  sum  now  raised  for  the  support  of  comr 
schools,  that  our  system  of  instruction  would  be  inferior  to  what  it  is.  1 
I  have  no  doubt  that  it  would  be  so. 

Hold  out,  then,  the  inducement  to  the  people  to  educate  themseh 
and  you  will  succeed.  If  you  have  an  institution  to  educate  men  to 
among  the  people,  you  will  do  something  in  that  way.  If  you  w 
to  adopt  the  system  of  employing  a  certain  number  of  scientific  m 
as  we  have  employed  common  school  lecturers,  you  might  create 
educational  feeling  which  would  be  efficient.  For  example, — if  there  2 
at  this  moment,  fifty  town  Societies,  and  if  you  were  to  employ  a  cerl 
number, — perhaps  five  scientific  men, — whose  duty  it  should  be,  in 
summer  season,  to  go  where  these  institutions  exist,  (and  nowhere  e' 
that  their  establishment  may  be  encouraged,)  to  receive  and  communic 
information  in  relation  to  manures  and  crops  ;  and  if,  in  the  winter,  it  w 
their  duty  to  give  lectures  adapted  to  the  wants  of  these  localities,  I  tak< 
you  would  do  a  great  deal  of  good. 

And  if  your  munificence  were  confined  to  the  towns  where  these  ass< 
ations  exist,  lecturers  would  increase  as  rapidly  as  the  demand  ;  and  wi 
out  extraordinary  effort,  you  would  introduce  a  system  of  agricultural  ei 
cation  which  should  reach  every  young  man, — give  him  information,  £ 
cause  inquiry  among  the  great  body  of  agriculturalists.  It  would  be  i 
duty  of  those  individuals  to  collect  and  distribute  information,  so  that  5 
would  have  a  great  system  of  lectures  and  experiments  extending  over 
whole  Commonwealth. 

Mr.  President, — I  rose  with  the  intention  of  not  speaking  at  any  leng 
and  I  have  already  occupied  some  time.  These  ideas,  I  dare  say,  v 
differ  from  those  of  most  gentlemen  of  the  Convention  ;  but  I  think  1 
great  truth  will  stand,  that  this  system,  however  it  may  be  eonstitut< 
must  be  maintained  by  the  voluntary  action  of  the  people  themselves.  T 
State  can  do  nothing  more  than  encourage  it. 


33 


SPEECH    OF    MR.    BUCKMINSTER.    EDITOR    OF    THE    PLOUGHMAN. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  am  very  much  pleased  by  the  observations  made  by  His  Excellency, 
the  Governor.  I  think  the  County  Societies  have  been  doing  a  vast  deal  of 
good.  I  am  in  favor  of  your  doing  something  more, — of  getting  up  a  Board 
of  Agriculture.  I  am  very  much  pleased  that  his  Excellency  speaks  of 
town  Societies.  We  have  forty  or  fifty  in  the  Commonwealth.  I  know 
not  why  they  should  not  be  encouraged  as  well  as  the  County  Societies. 
In  the  large  Counties  of  Middlesex,  Essex  and  Worcester,  there  are  towns 
which  are  not  accommodated.  They  have  Societies  which  have  discus- 
sions. Now  I  want  the  Legislature  to  encourage  them,  and  give  them  ap- 
propriations in  proportion  to  the  funds  they  may  raise. 

I  was  surprised  to  hear  the  assertion,  this  afternoon,  that  we  had  made 
no  improvement  in  agriculture  for  forty  or  fifty  years  past.  These  gentle- 
men want  to  set  aside  the  old  system  and  begin  anew.  What  principle 
are  we  to  begin  upon  ?  The  honorable  gentleman  from  Princeton  has  told 
you  that  we  must  take  Professors  from  Europe  and  bring  them  here.  I  am 
glad  to  hear  that  His  Excellency  did  not  recommend  that.  If  there  is  any 
useful  agricultural  knowledge  in  the  country,  I  ask  you  where  it  is.  It 
rests  with  the  practical  farmers.  They  possess  all  the  practical  knowledge 
which  is  of  any  value.  Chemists  may  talk  as  much  as  they  please,  with 
high  flown  language.  The  farmers  have  the  practical  knowledge. 

The  word,  science,  has  been  used.  Science,  we  are  glad  to  learn,  is 
knowledge.  Farmers  understand  that.  There  was  one  gentleman  a  little 
alarmed  at  science.  He  would  not  have  it.  Now,  Mr.  President,  what  is 
the  use  of  telling  us,  farmers,  that  there  has  been  no  improvement  for  a 
dozen  years  past  ?  I  live  in  the  vicinity  of  Worcester.  Forty  years  ago  it 
was  the  practice  there,  among  all  farmers,  to  let  their  cattle  run  at  large, 
saving  none  of  the  manure ;  and  not  one  man  in  forty  attempted  to  increase 
his  manure  by  carting  in  substances  to  preserve  the  essences.  Fifty  years 
ago  the  hogs  ran  in  the  road,  and  no  manure  was  saved  from  them.  Have 
not  we  made  improvement?  Your  foreign  chemists  and  your  foreign  pro- 
fessors will  all  tell  you  that  manure  is  the  very  foundation  of  all  production 
connected  with  agriculture ;  and  yet  gentlemen  will  tell  you,  and  repeat 
that  we  have  made  no  improvement  with  regard  to  farming,  even  when  we 
produce  four  or  five  times  as  much  on  a  given  piece  of  land  as  we  used  to 
make  forty  or  fifty  years  ago.  I  want  this  thing  well  understood.  Let  us 
look  at  the  fact.  The  gentleman  from  Brookfield  has  told  you  some  facts 
with  regard  to  what  we  have  obtained  from  foreigners.  We  have  been  led 
astray  ten  times  by  chemists  where  we  have  got  real  information  from  them 
once. 

But  I  would  not  undervalue  chemistry.  A  farmer  cannot  do  any  thing 
unless  he  makes  more  from  his  farm  than  he  spends.  What  we  want  is  to 
circulate  the  knowledge  we  possess.  I  know  there  are  some  farmers  who 


34 

never  make  any  improvement.  What  we  want  is  to  wake  these  gentlem 
up.  And  the  way  to  do  it  is  the  very  mode  suggested  this  evening  by  H 
Excellency,  the  Governor.  I  have  seen  no  better  plan  than  that.  I  a 
prove  of  it. 

MR.  KEYES. — I  move  the  adoption  of  this  resolution,  and  that  the  qu< 
tion  be  taken  now  for  the  reason  that  the  discussion  has  seemed  to  tu 
upon  another  resolution  which  is  to  follow.  I  hope  we  shall  take  the  qu< 
tion  now  upon  this,  which  is  simply  in  favor  of  additional  appropriatic 
for  the  County  Agricultural  Societies.  It  is  not  so  important  that  i 
should  discuss  this  very  thoroughly,  as  our  passing  the  vote  in  its  fa\ 
will  not  bring  the  money.  It  is  to  pass  another  ordeal  before  that  can 
accomplished. 

THE  PRESIDENT. — The  chair  entertains  the  same  views,  and  hopes  t 
vote  will  now  be  taken  on  the  resolution. 

The  resolution  was  thereupon  adopted. 

The  fourth  and  fifth  resolutions,  which  were  passed  over  in  the  afternoc 
were  now  read  by  the  chair. 

THE  PRESIDENT. — There  is  a  gentleman  present  who  made  the  invi 
tigations  in  relation  to   these  schools  in  Europe,  President  Hitchcock, 
have  no  doubt  the  Convention  will  be  pleased  to  hear  from  him. 

SPEECH   OF    PROFESSOR    EDWARD    HITCHCOCK,    OF   AMHERST. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  have  nothing  to  say  upon  this  subject  because  I  have  already  said 
much,  more  than  I  ought  to  have  said,  probably,  in  my  report  which  I  h 
the  honor  of  presenting.  And  as  it  has  been  communicated  or  distribut 
to  the  members,  I  feel  exceedingly  embarrassed  in  saying  any  thing  < 
ditional.  I  did  not  come  here  to-night  with  a  view  of  making  remarl 
but  only  of  meeting  gentlemen  whose  names  I  have  frequently  heard  C( 
nected  with  the  subject  of  agriculture  as  well  as  with  other  important  c 
jects  of  interest  in  the  Commonwealth,  and  for  the  purpose  of  enjoying  n 
self  by  an  expression  of  the  sympathy  I  have  felt  for  them  at  a  distance. 

The  President. — The  chair  will  take  this  opportunity  to  remark,  that 
though  the  report  has  been  distributed,  there  are  but  very  few  gentlemen 
this  assembly  probably  who  have  read  it. 

Mr.  Hitchcock. — I  fully  agree,  sir,  with  the  remarks  which  have  be 
made  by  His  Excellency,  and  other  gentlemen  whom  I  have  heard  to-da 
en  the  importance  of  using  other  means  for  promoting  agriculture  besid 
establishing  a  school  or  schools.  I  hope  no  gentleman  will  imagine  tl 


the  establishment  of  a  school,  however  judicious  a  plan  is  adopted,  is  going 
at  once  to  make  any  great  change  in  our  agriculture.  It  is  only  one  of  the 
means  which  are  employed  in  Europe  for  that  purpose.  I  am  not  going  to 
compare  the  means.  I  do  believe  that  Agricultural  Societies  are  indispen- 
sable. It  is  one  of  the  reasons  why  I  could  wish  to  see  schools  established, 
that  they  may  form  a  channel  by  which  we  may  communicate  with  the 
agricultural  world,  by  which  we  can  receive  information  of  what  is  doing 
in  other  parts  of  the  world,  of  what  is  doing  in  the  cultivation  of  land,  in 
the  raising  of  stock,  and  in  a  multitude  of  subjects  connected  with  agricul- 
culture.  If  you  had  a  school,  it  would  be  a  channel  through  which  there 
would  come  this  information  ;  and  it  would  be  a  sort  of  ordeal  to  pass 
through. 

Now  there  comes  floating  somehow  or  other  on  the  winds,  an  account  of 
an  improvement  in  agriculture.  An  individual  farmer  hears  of  it,  and  un- 
dertakes to  make  the  experiment.  He  fails  perhaps.  Then  he  is  disgust- 
ed with  every  thing  of  the  kind.  Now  one  grand  object  of  a  school  of  this 
kind,  is  to  try  experiments,  to  try  suggestive  experiments.  For  it  is  an 
indispensable  adjunct  of  all  the  schools  in  Europe  that  I  visited,  with  the 
exception  of  only  one  in  Edinburgh,  that  they  should  have  a  farm  con- 
nected with  the  school  ;  that  they  should  live  upon  the  farm  ;  that  the  pro- 
fessors and  officers,  at  least  a  part  of  them, — those  who  have  the  manage- 
ment of  the  whole  concern,  should  engage  in  actual  labor  on  that  farm. 
Some  of  them  do  not  do  it  for  wages  and  some  do.  But  they  all  engage, 
more  or  less,  in  the  duties  of  the  farm,  in  the  work  on  the  farm,  and  in 
every  kind  of  work,  too.  Even  those  who  do  not  expect  to  labor  in  after 
life,  but  who  expect  to  have  the  superintendence  of  the  labor  of  others,  all 
go  through  the  work. 

I  have  mentioned  in  this  report  the  case  of  a  school  in  France,  about 
twenty-five  miles  from  Paris,  where  the  director  of  the  school,  a  scien- 
tific man,  conducted  us  out  to  the  piggery;  and  there  we  met  the  young 
men  connected  with  the  school,  evidently  from  wealthy  families,  all  of 
them,  including  the  director  himself,  with  their  frocks  on.  But  I  noticed 
that  all  the  young  men  were  engaged  in  some  business  about  the  farm. 
Each  one  had  his  duty  to  perform.  One  was  to  attend  to  such  a  thing,  and 
another  to  such  a  thing.  There  was  one  young  man  who  had  a  broom  and 
a  pail  of  water,  and  who  was  cleaning  an  ox's  leg  in  a  stable.  The  direc- 
tor whispered  to  us  that  that  young  man  was  the  son  of  a  wealthy  banker. 
The  truth  is,  the  farm  is  considered  an  indispensable  adjunct  to  the 
school.  Unless  those  who  have  the  management  of  it  show  better  crops 
than  others  in  the  neighborhood,  the  Government  withdraws  its  patronage. 
And  they  do  show  better  crops.  I  never  saw  better  ones  than  those  at 
Glasnevin,  near  Dublin.  There  oats  were  raised  eighty  bushels  to  the 
acre  ;  and  other  crops,  wheat,  flax,  beans  and  potatoes  in  the  same  exu- 
berance. This  removes  one  of  the  great  difficulties  about  these  schools. 
I  do  not  wonder  that  people  shrink  from  making  additional  experiments, 
when  they  hear  that  this  application  of  lime  is  going  to  work  wonders,  or 


36 

guano,  or  something  else,   and   when  they  have  already  made  the  expe 
ment  once  and  failed.     A   great  many  suggestions  which  are   made 
chemists  are  tried  by  the  farmers  with  failure.     I  do  not  wonder  that  th 
fail.     And,  after  all,  they  say,  this  science  does  not  answer.     We  wot 
better  follow  our  fathers.     That  is  to  some  extent  true. 

The  first  object  of  an  agricultural  school,  as  I  understand  it,  is  to  coll( 
together  the  experience  of  the  best  ^armers  in  Europe  or  in  the  world,  a 
to  make  that  experience  the  basis  of  their  operation.  For,  after  all,  t 
principles  of  science  although  certain,  if  we  understood  them,  yet  are  i 
well  enough  understood  now  to  be  in  all  cases  applied  with  certainty  to  t 
growth  of  plants.  We  acknowledge  that.  And,  therefore,  I  would  pl< 
first  in  the  advantages  of  an  agricultural  school,  the  getting  together  all  t 
experience,  the  important  experience  which  farmers  have  had  on  the  si 
ject  of  farming,  and  testing  it  on  the  farm  connected  with  the  school,  a 
then,  if  it  proves  good  there,  to  recommend  it  to  the  public  generally. 

But  as  we  are  now  situated,  one  farmer  takes  one  method  and  anotl 
another  ;  and  it  is  difficult  to  ascertain  what  is  best,  what  is  correct.  A 
that  is  one  of  the  advantages  of  these  Societies  ;  that  they  serve  to  coll< 
these  scattered  rays,  to  bring  them  together  to  a  focus,  and  to  make  c 
what  is  the  best  result  of  this  experience.  But,  after  all,  we  must  have  1 
sciences  taught  in  such  a  school,  and  we  may  hope  to  get  a  great  deal 
advantage  from  it.  For  no  man  will  deny  that  the  plants  which  are  rais 
upon  a  farm  grow  according  to  the  principles  of  botany  and  physiology, 
far  as  those  principles  are  understood. 

Now  botanists  and  physiologists  have  learned  some  things  about  h 
plants  grow,  what  they  require  for  food,  what  is  the  best  mode  for  them 
thrive.  There  is  a  great  deal  more  to  learn,  and  we  want  these  schools 
find  it  out. 

The  chemist,  too,  can  tell  us  something  about  the  composition  of  the  si 
He  tells  us  that  often  a  crop  fails  because  there  is  not  half  per  cent  o 
certain  ingredient.  There  are  a  great  many  other  things  which  may 
told  in  future.  We  may  hope  a  great  deal  from  the  application  of  a  gr 
variety  of  the  principles  of  science. 

Bur,  sir,  I  say  that  this  business  of  raising  plants,  as  men  who  conduc 
farm  do  it,  is  a  very  complicated  affair  and  a  very  delicate  one.  I  h< 
been  a  lecturer  on  chemistry  for  twenty  years.  I  do  not  now  lecture  on 
I  have  tried  a  great  many  experiments  during  that  time.  But  I  do 
know  of  any  experiments  so  delicate  as  the  farmer  is  trying  every  we< 
I  do  not  know  any  so  difficult.  The  experiments  of  the  laboratory  are  i 
to  be  compared  with  them.  Will  not  a  knowledge  of  the  principles 
chemistry  help  a  man  in  his  agricultural  pursuit?  Knowledge  is  not  p 
feet  yet.  Will  not  such  an  acquaintance  guide  him  somewhat  ?  You  ha 
half  a  dozen  sciences  which  are  concerned  in  the  operations  of  a  far 
There  is  the  science  of  meteorology,  the  condition  of  the  atmosphe 
the  state  of  the  weather,  storms,  sunshine,  temperature ;  all  tru 
things  have  to  be  taken  into  the  account.  There  is  to  be  a  delics 


37 

balancing  of  all  these,  as  every  farmer  knows.  A  man  who  would  under- 
stand the  delicate  operations  of  farming,  must  know  something  about  chem- 
istry. The  chemical  operations  are  constantly  going  on  in  a  plant. 

That  brings  in  another  science, — physiology.  He  must  know  the  raws 
of  life,  how  this  or  that  influence  will  affect  the  growth  of  plants  ;  just  as  a 
physician  has  to  learn  physiology  in  order  to  know  how  this  thing  or  that 
thing  will  affect  the  life  of  individual  men.  You  have  then  the  science  of 
physiology  to  be  applied  extensively.  And  so  I  might  speak  of  botany  and 
physiology,  which  are  very  much  concerned  in  agriculture,  the  character 
of  the  soil,  and  a  number  of  other  sciences. 

To  suppose  that  a  man  is  going  to  be  able,  at  the  present  day,  with- 
out any  knowledge  of  these  sciences,  to  make  improvements  in  agriculture 
by  haphazard  experiments,  is,  it  seems  to  me,  absurd.  Now  if  we  can 
gain,  from  the  establishment  of  a  school,  a  little  advantage  at  first,  we 
shall  gain  a  great  deal  in  time.  We  learn  one  thing  after  another,  so  as  to 
make  progress.  That  is  what  is  doing  in  Europe.  They  have  fonnd  there 
unless  they  have  these  schools,  that  scientific  men,  who  are  distinguished, 
will  not  attend  to  the  matter  of  conducting  these  experiments,  so  that  ben- 
efit will  result.  The  French  Government  have  just  established  a  school  at 
Versailles,  at  the  old  kingly  domain.  And  this  is  one  of  the  reaaons  they 
have  given  for  it, — we  must  have,  they  say,  men  who  will  devote  their  at- 
tention to  this  subject,  who  will  push  their  discoveries  to  get  some  new 
thing,  not  expecting,  at  once,  to  obtain  any  great  improvement. 

Now  these  principles,  the  principles  resulting  from  experience,  the  prin- 
ciples resulting  from  these  sciences,  can  all  be  taught  the  young  men  who 
go  to  those  schools.  And  it  takes  a  great  while  to  learn  them.  They  are 
not  applied  extensively  in  our  country,  although  we  are  making  some  pro- 
gress. Only  think,  sir,  this  whole  matter,  the  most  difficult  of  all  the  arts, 
depending  upon  experiments  the  most  delicate,  and  influences  the  most  po- 
tent, for  success  or  failure,  whose  dynamics,  if  I  may  so  say,  being  such  as 
to  require  the  most  acute  mind,  is  all  left  for  each  individual  man  to  find 
out.  The  wonder  is,  that  the  farmers  of  New  England  have  done  so  much, 
not  that  they  have  not  done  more  ;  because  they  have  one  of  the  most  diffi- 
cult of  all  tasks  to  perform.  And  hence  it  does  seem  to  me  that  a  school  is 
important,  as  one  of  the  means  for  assisting  in  obtaining  this  information  ; 
not  that  it  is  going  to  work  wonders.  The  people  must  come  up  to  it. 

It  does  appear  to  me  that  the  question  about  the  establishment  of  Agricul- 
tural Schools  in  Massachusetts,  is  merely  a  question  of  time  after  all. 

The  subject  has  made  such  rapid  progress  in  Europe,  within  a  few  years, 
that  I  was  perfectly  amazed  to  find  the  facts  develope  themselves  as  they 
did,  one  after  the  other,  to  discover  such  a  multiplicity  of  facts  with  regard 
to  them.  Gentlemen  who  have  not  seen  this  report  will,  perhaps,  be  sur- 
prised when  I  tell  them  that  I  give  there  an  account  of  350  schools,  of  three 
different  grades.  Though  some  of  them  have  been  in  operation  for  fifty 
years,  the  most  have  been  recently  established.  Gentlemen  there  did  not 
seem  to  know  how  many  schools  there  were. 


38 

I  recollect  getting  acquainted  with  the  Chevalier  Bunsen.  I  though 
should  know  from  him  all  about  the  number  of  schools  in  Prussia, 
gave  me  a  list  of  four  schools  in  that  country.  When  I  went  there 
found  thirty.  Probably  he  had  not  heard  of  them.  Some  of  them  w 
small.  In  France  there  are  seventy-five.  In  Ireland  they  have  fifty.  1. 
the  Irish  schools  pleased  me  more  than  any  others  except  the  Frepch. 
had  an  opportunity,  in  Ireland,  of  hearing  examinations  of  the  young  m 
They  were  called  in  from  the  farm  and  asked  questions  on  the  subject 
practical  agriculture,  as  to  draining,  and  how  to  adapt  crops  to  diffei 
soils,  and  other  matters  of  that  sort.  And,  then,  as  to  agricultural  cht 
istry,  they  were  asked,  What  would  you  do  in  such  and  such  circumst 
ces?  What  does  a  soil  with  such  and  such  properties  need?  and  so  on. 
do  not  believe  there  is  a  class  of  students  of  any  kind  in  our  country,  v 
would  be  able  to  answer  one  tenth  of  the  questions  which  those  young  n 
answered,  very  readily.  And  going  out,  as  they  do,  to  take  charge  of  ot 
schools,  they  will  accomplish  much  for  the  benefit  of  unfortunate  Irelar 
and  being  concerned  with  their  own  hands  in  raising  these  crops,  for  oti 
farms  applying  in  the  field  those  principles  which  they  learn  in  the  schc 
I  do  not  know  how  it  strikes  others,  but  it  did  strike  me  that  it  was  a  gi 
way  to  promote  agriculture.  The  Societies  are  doing  much,  but  it  see 
to  me  that  these  schools  are  to  elevate  the  Societies. 

I  think  it  is  only  a  question  of  time  about  the  establishment  of  some  k 
of  school.  I  confess  I  feel  a  little  State  pride  in  the  matter.  I  should 
glad  to  have  Massachusetts  take  the  lead.  In  almost  all  the  States  tl 
are  talking  about  Agricultural  Schools,  but  they  do  not,  any  of  them,  se 
to  have  acted,  as  yet.  Perhaps  New  York  may  have  established  one. 

The  President. — The  bill  has  not  yet  passed  the  Legislature. 

Mr.  Hitchcock. — I  confess  I  should  be  glad  to  have  Massachusetts  to 
the  lead  and  have  the  school  started  first.  I  found  Massachusetts  stood 
the  head  in  the  matter  of  common  schools.  Every  gentleman  in  Euro 
when  I  spoke  of  schools,  would  immediately  refer  to  common  schools  £ 
to  the  superior  reports  of  the  Secretary  of  our  Board  of  Education.  T 
was  exceedingly  gratifying.  They  have  the  start  of  us  in,Agricultu 
Schools  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  but  they  have  not  in  this  counti 
and  I  should  be  glad  to  see  Massachusetts  going  ahead. 

The  remarks  of  His  Excellency  are  very  proper.  The  people  must 
this  thing.  Such  is  the  nature  of  our  institutions,  that  if  the  people  do  i 
wish  a  school,  the  Government  cannot  sustain  one.  If  the  people  are  : 
ready  to  force  the  Government  to  help  them,  it  will  do  no  good.  TJ 
was  the  case  in  Europe.  Individuals  there,  even  from  the  year  1774,  stn 
gled  and  sacrificed  their  property  and  their  lives  in  this  cause.  They  w< 
repelled  by  the  Government  again  and  again  before  they  could  get  any 
sistance.  Then  they  would  start  a  private  school,  and  would  find  it 
heavy  affair,  as  any  such  school  must  necessarily  be.  It  must  be  a  weigl 


39 

concern,  and  individuals,  one  would  suppose,  would  sink  under  it.  But  the 
thing  has  been  done  there,  and  the  Government  has  been,  as  it  were,  com- 
pelled to  take  hold  of  it.  There  is  a  feeling  among  the  people  which  makes 
the  Government  feel  as  if  it  must  act.  And  availing  themselves  of  the 
general  peace  in  Europe,  they  have  been  trying  to  establish  schools  of 
agriculture. 


REMARKS  OF  MR.  SANGER  OF  NORFOLK  COUNTY. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  rise  for  a  specific  purpose,  and  with  great  diffidence,  after  the  learned 
gentleman  who  has  just  spoken.  But  he  alluded  to  the  high  rank  of  our 
common  schools,  and  to  the  reports  of  the  Secretary  of  our  Board  of  Edu- 
cation. I  rise  for  the  purpose  of  stating  a  fact.  It  was  only  thirteen  or 
fourteen  years  since,  in  the  very  room  where  we  are  now  assembled,  that  the 
subject  was  proposed  and  discussed  whether  we  should  establish  Normal 
Schools.  And  I  remember,  sir,  that  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and  able  mem- 
bers of  the  House  of  Representatives  from  the  city  of  Boston,  rose  here  and 
said  it  was  one  of  the  most  preposterous  things  in  the  world  to  think  of  fit- 
ting teachers  for  our  common  schools.  If  there  was  a  demand  in  the  com- 
munity, his  argument  was,  there  would  be  a  supply  for  that  demand.  How 
was  it  to  be  supplied,  was  the  question.  This  gentleman  endeavored  to  op- 
pose the  introduction  of  Normal  Schools,  and  others  did  the  same.  But 
against  all  opposition,  during  that  very  winter  when  it  was  first  proposed 
here,  the  plan  was  adopted.  And  we  now  know  the  consequences.  Thirteen 
years  only  have  convinced  every  man  in  this  Commonwealth  of  their  great 
value,  their  inestimable  value,  which  no  money  can  possibly  represent, — 
the  value  intellectual  and  moral,  and  I  hope  religious,  to  this  Common- 
wealth and  to  the  country,  and  the  great  reputation  we  have  obtained  by 
means  of  these  Normal  Schools. 

Mr.  Sander  closed  with  a  few  additional  remarks  bearing  upon  the  es- 
tablishment of  Agricultural  Schools. 

MR.  PARKER,  of  Framingham. — I  think,  sir,  that  the  friends,  after  listen- 
ing to  the  remarks  of  the  eloquent  Professor,  will  confess  that  two  things 
are  generally  conceded  ;  first,  that  there  are  scientific  principles  which  may 
be  applied  successfully  to  agriculture,  which  is  a  feeling  that  prevails,  so 
far  as  I  know,  throughout  the  entire  community  ;  beyond  that  I  think  there 
is  a  very  general  conviction  that  the  applications  of  these  principles  is  a 
very  difficult  matter. 

MR.  PARKER  made  a  few  additional  remarks,  elaborating  these  two  pro- 
positions. 


40 

MR.  BAGG  again  addressed  the  Convention  as  follows  : — 
MR.  PRESIDENT — 

Agricultural  Education  is  our  great  theme.  It  has  become  a  very  popu 
theme.  The  phrase  is  quite  familiar,  and  yet  \ve  hardly  know  whai 
meant  by  it. 

Our  fathers  are  held  in  grateful  remembrance,  as  philanthropists,  becai 
their  first  public  acts  were  to  lay  b;oad  and  deep  in  the  virgin  soil  of  N 
England,  foundations  for  those  educational  and  religious  institutions  wh 
have  contributed,  more  than  any  thing  else,  to  give  her  importance  and  1 
sons  influence.  Before  this  audience  I  hazard  nothing  in  saying  that  Ni 
England  is  a  favored  spot.  Not  that  she  is  fanned  by  the  soft  breezes 
the  "  sunny  South,"  not  that  her  lands  are  superior,  or  even  equal,  to  1 
rich  bottoms  of  the  West,  where  the  soil,  fat  with  the  tribute  of  ages, 
pays  an  hundred  fold  the  labors  of  the  husbandman,  and  gives  without  bei 
impoverished  ;  but  most  highly  favored  with  the  means  of  moral  and  int 
lectual  improvement.  In  this  respect  New  England  is  the  bright  spot  of  < 
Union,  and  from  this  spot  what  a  multitude  of  sons  have  gone  forth  to 
bright,  guiding  stars  to  their  countrymen. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed,  however,  that  intelligence  is  a  natural  prodi 
tion,  indigenous  to  the  soil  of  New  England.  It  is  the  result  of  that  edu( 
tional  system,  whose  genial  influence  permeates  her  every  nook  and  corne 
not  only  teaching  **  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot,"  but  teaching  also  t 
great  lessons  of  self-reliance  and  self-control;  disciplining  New  Engla 
mind  to  conflict,  to  patient,  persevering,  arduous  effort,  and  accustoming 
by  these  means,  to  overcome  every  obstacle. 

Such  mind  has  resources, — resources  flowing  at  every  step  of  its  progres 
Such  mind  can  never  be  entirely  baffled  ;  it  is  made  enthusiastic  by  diffici 
ties,  and  is  never  enervated  by  success.  Such  mind  must  accomplish 
purpose,  and  will  even  though  the  "  iron  be  dull."  Such  mind,  applied 
the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  will  never  assume  the  garb  of  the  mendicant  ai 
"  beg  in  harvest." 

This  system  of  education  makes  men,  and  to  determine  its  influence  upi 
agriculture,  let  us  inquire  whether  under  any  other  "  system"  and  on  ai 
other  "  spot,"  can  be  found  an  agricultural  people  superior  or  even  equ 
to  the  people  of  New  England  in  moral  and  intellectual  attainment,  or  mo 
capable  of  developing  the  agricultural  resources  of  the  soil  they  live  upon. 

Sir,  let  us  not  forget  what  we  have,  in  looking  and  wishing  for  what  v 
have  not.  Let  us  not  neglect  to  improve  the  price  already  in  our  han< 
wherewith  to  get  wisdom,  with  the  delusive  idea  that  the  State  is  about  i 
furnish  wisdom  "without  price." 

Let  us  remember  that  if  the  State  provide  the  means  and  appliances  for 
scientific  course  of  agricultural  study,  the  young  man  must  "  wake  up  fro 
his  drowsy  nap,"  and  qualify  himself '"  to  go  up  higher." 

HON.  E.  ROCKWELL  HOAR,  of  Concord,  being  called  on  by  the  chai 
spoke  as  follows  : — 


41 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

Although  I  feel  as  much  surprised  as  gentlemen  who  have  preceded  me, 
in  addressing  you,  yet  I  have  none  of  their  embarrassment,  because  I  take 
the  call  upon  me  as  a  matter  of  course.  I  have  been  unable  to  attend  this 
meeting  during  the  day.  I  have  come  in  this  evening  solely  for  the  pur- 
pose of  expressing  rny  own  sympathy  and  that  of  the  Society  with  which  I 
have  the  honor  to  be  'connected,  and  wish,  with  your  leave,  sir,  to  content 
myself  for  the  remainder  of  the  evening  with  being,  as  I  have  already  been, 
a  gratified  listener,  and  a  listener  only  to  what  may  be  said. 

SPEECH   OF    MR.     KING,     OF     RHODE     ISLAND,     IN     RESPONSE     TO    THE 
CALL   OF   THE    CHAIR. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  can  best  return  the  compliment  which  I  have  received  at  your  hands  by 
being  as  brief  as  possible.  The  two  great  evils  agriculture  has  to  contend 
against,  are  torpor  and  prejudice.  The  torpor  has  been  dealt  with  by  the 
Societies  in  existence.  Not  many  years  have  elapsed  since  the  old  farmer 
used  always  to  turn  out  of  his  house  during  the  summer  to  do  his  work. 
All  the  warm  season  he  was  occupied  with  his  crops  ;  and  in  the  winter  he 
was  too  lazy  to  do  any  thing  at  all.  How  stands  the  case  now?  Let  this 
crowded  house  this  evening  answer.  (I  had  the  pleasure  of  addressing  the 
farmers  of  Barre,  a  few  evenings  since  ;  and,  in  spite  of  the  storm  which 
prevailed,  the  effects  of  which  we  see  even  now  in  our  streets,  the  hall  was 
filled  to  overflowing.)  That  old  torpor  has  been  driven  away  by  the  perse- 
vering efforts  of  Societies.  They  began  their  operation,  and  I  am  not  so 
young  but  what  I  remember  their  commencement,  and  have  continued  their 
exertions  faithfully  to  the  present  time.  Men  found  that  the  secret  in  every 
combat  was  combination.  The  old  fable  of  the  bundle  of  sticks  was 
brought  into  practical  operation. 

But  there  is  a  terrible  power,  yet  *to  encounter;  and  that  is  prejudice. 
There  is  no  one  of  the  operations  of  life  in  which  there  is  so  much  prejudice 
as  in  the  farming  community.  Prejudice  is  there  the  child  of  ignorance. 
The  question  then  comes  up,  How  is  this  prejudice  to  be  encountered?  It 
is  to  be  encountered  by  education.  The  man  with  maturity  of  years  has 
grown  up  with  all  his  prejudices.  The  old  gnarled  oak  must  stand  as  the 
winter  of  its  youth  has  left  it ;  but  the  young  twig  remains.  And  there  is 
no  one  here  too  old  or  too  young  to  carry  his  recollections  back  to  his  mo- 
ther's knees.  There  is  the  first  school.  Let  a  child  be  supposed  to  be 
rather  smart,  and  immediately  he  is  marked  out  as  the  lawyer  of  the  fam- 
ily. Let  him  hoard  up  his  pennies,  and  make  good  bargains  with  his  play- 
mates, and  he  must  be  a  merchant.  But  let  him  be  a  blunderhead,  and  he 
is  the  farmer  of  the  family.  He  takes  in  this  prejudice  from  his  mother's 
lips. 

Let  him  learn,  at  the  start,  that  the  farmer's  occupation  is  the  noblest  of 
all.  Let  him  remember  that  Washington  called  it  "  the  most  useful,  the 
6 


43 

most  healthy,  and  the  most  noble  occupation  of  man."     We  want  nothir 
stronger  than  that.     Let  him  'know  th'at  the  farmer's  path  can  be  the  pal 
to  greatness.     There  are  men,  I  might  say,  perhaps,  within  the  sound 
my  voice,  who  have  passed  directly  from  behind  the  plough  almost  to  tl 
pinnacle  of  political  honors. 

We  come  now  to  the  common  school.  I  am  for  introducing  into  th 
the  principles  of  agriculture.  Let  the  young  man  gain  learning  in  this  d 
partment  from  the  work  translated  by  Mr.  F.  D.  Skinner.  I  was  in  hop< 
that  His  Excellency  was  about  to  conclude  his  valuable  suggestions  by  n 
marks,  which  he  might  have  made  much  better  than  myself,  by  showir 
that  the  system  he  approved  was  not  inconsistent  with  the  policy  propose 
in  the  resolutions  under  consideration.  When  there  has  been  a  bad  resu 
to  any  experiment,  it  is  because  experience  did  not  go  out  with  scienc 
Experience  went  out  alone.  The  consequence  was  mortifying  failuri 
Too  frequently  does  science  alone  go  forth  into  the  fields  in  the  pride  of  ii 
strength  and  challenge  the  man  who  holds  the  plough  to  combat.  It  is 
most  unequal  combat.  But  let  experience  and  science  combine  their  forc< 
and  they  are  invincible. 

«* 

REMARKS    OF    THE     HON.    ENSIGN    H-    KELLOGG,     SECRETARY     OF    TH 
BERKSHIRE  SOCIETY,  IN  RESPONSE  TO  THE  CALL  OF  THE  CHAIR. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — 

I  fear  that  if  you  should  set  me  to  talking,  I  should  carry  the  discussic 
inadvertently  to  some  of  the  bills  which  have  been  so  long  under  conside 
ation  here.  As  our  friend  of  the  Middlesex  Society  said,  I  came  in  here  \ 
a  listener,  and  not  to  take  part  in  any  discussion.  I  can  only  say  that 
take  a  very  lively  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  agricultural  educ; 
tlon.  And  feeling  such  an  interest,  J  have  frequently  thought  of  the  meai 
that  might  be  applied  by  the  government  of  the  Commonwealth  to  promoi 
.that  education  ;  of  new  means  that  might  be  introduced  for  that  purpose 
but  I  have  not  matured  anything  myself  upon  the  subject  that  would  1 
worth  giving  to  you. 

I  have  been  accustomed  to  hope,  however,  that  science,  as  applied  1 
agriculture,  might  be  pursued  as  a  study  in  our  colleges  more  fully  tha 
before ;  and  that  it  will  be  thought  best  to  introduce  a  department  in  coi 
nection  with  that.  It  has  seemed  to  me  that  provision  for  the  education  < 
this  Commonwealth  in  agricultural  science  should  be  made  very  commc 
and  free, — as  free  and  as  common  as  education  in  our  common  schools 
It  seems  to  me  that  the  great  body  in  our  Commonwealth,  in  order  to  rea 
a  corresponding  benefit  to  that  which  is  now  reaped  in  our  common  schools 
should  receive  it  early  in  life  and  at  their  own  doors.  Whether  that  can  b 
done,  I  cannot  say.  But  certainly  an  effort  can  be  made  to  advance  th 
cause  in  that  way,  as  well  as  by  promoting  it  through  Agriculture 
Societies. 


43 


REMARKS    OF   MR.    SHEPHERD    OF    NORTHAMPTON. 

MR.  PRESIDENT — I  will  not  say  that 

"  He  who  by  the  plough  would  thrive, 
Himself  must  either  hold  or  drive," 

but  that  he  must  both  hold  and  drive ;  for  science  has  not  only  reduced  the 
draft  of  the  plough  one  half,  but  holds  the  plough,  and  has  almost  removed 
the  necessity  of  handles  ;  for  on  our  alluvial  fields  of  the  Connecticut  valley 
you  may  see  the  plough  guiding  itself,  and  turning  a  beautiful  furrow  with- 
out a  holder. 

Agricultural  pursuits  are  embraced  by  all  classes  with  great  zeal  and  in- 
terest, but  by  none  in  the  most  perfect  manner.  The  practical  farmer  wants 
scientific  knowledge,  and  the  scientific  agriculturalist  suffers  for  want  of 
that  practice  with  which  he  would  blend  his  principles. 

We,  practical  farmers,  have  not  the  means  of  uniting  in  a  perfect  system 
the  two.  We  must  look  with  interest  to  the  period  when  the  community  is 
aroused  to  its  duty  in  establishing  a  school  for  the  promotion  of  agriculture, 
in  which  scientific  and  practical  knowledge  shall  be  taught,  and  where 
chemistry,  in  the  hands  of  skilful  teachers,  would  analyse  the  soil  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  State,  and  the  plants  to  be  cultivated,  that  we  might  know 
the  kind  of  manure  to  use  best  suited  as  food  for  the  crops  we  wished  to 
raise.  In  short,  we  want  a  union  in  the  most  thorough  and  business-like 
manner,  of  scientific  and  practical  agriculture. 

Those  of  us  who  have  made  experiments  in  this  most  difficult  of  all  sci- 
ences, are  often  discouraged  by  the  amount  of  time  and  expense  required  to 
ascertain  any  fact  out  of  the  regular  beaten  track,  and  after  all  we  can  do, 
are  dissatisfied  by  the  uncertainty  attending  our  imperfect  efforts. 

The  Massachusetts  farmer  has  many  difficulties  to  contend  with,  but  he 
has  the  disposition  and  energy  to  overcome  those  obstacles  as  fully  as  any 
cultivator  of  the  soil  in  this  or  in  any  country,  and  as  he  is  the  most  a  man 
who  rises  above  difficulties,  may  we  not  expect  much  from  those  who  have 
been  in  the  practice  of  it  their  lives  long? 

Much  depends  upon  ihe  men  who  first  direct  in  this  school.  If  we  are  to 
have  those  who  look  mainly  to  the  emoluments  of  their  office,  without  any 
particular  knowledge  of  the  business,  and  have  not  their  hearts  and  energy 
involved  in  the  cause,  or,  if  like  another  institution  of  this  State,  a  mer- 
chant or  mechanic  is  to  be  selected  to  conduct  the  affairs  of  a  farm,  we  can- 
not succeed  ;  we  want  the  enthusiasm  and  perseverance  in  this  cause  ex- 
hibited by  our  much  esteemed  President  of  Amherst  College. 

We  have  the  best  materials  and  mind  to  proceed  in  this  enterprise  ;  let 
Massachusetts  take  the  lead,  and  glorious  success  will  follow  our  efforts,  if 
persevered  with  the  energy  and  economy  that  meets  a  reward  in  our  New 
England  farming. 

On  motion  of  Hon.  GEORGE  DENNY,  President  of  the  Westboro'  Society, 
it  was 


44 

Voted,  That  the  Centra)  Board,  provided  for  in  the  second  resolution,  consist  of 
three  delegates  from  each  incorporated  Agricultural  Society,  and  that  the  President 
and  Secretaries  be  requested  to  inform  the  Societies  of  this  resolution. 

On  motion  of  Hon.  JOHN  W.  PROCTOR,  President  of  the  Essex  County 
Society,  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  President  and  Secretaries  of  the  Convention  be  authorized  to  pro- 
cure the  publication  of  as  many  copies  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention,  for  distri- 
bution to  the  various  Agricultural  Societies  represented,  as  they  may  deem  expedient, 
and  draw  on  said  Societies  for  their  due  proportion  of  the  expense  of  the  same,  and 
for  the  expenses  of  the  Convention. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned. 

MARSHALL  P.  WILDER,  President. 
EDGAR  K.  WHITAKER, 
EDWARD  L.  KEYES, 
WILLIAM  S.  LINCOLN, 
SAMUEL  A.  DEAN, 


Secretaries. 


REPORTED  BY  DR.  J.  W.  STONE,  BOSTON. 


The  following  is  the  list  of  Delegates  who  were  present  at  the  Convention. 

Massachusetts  State  Society. 

Bristol  County  Society. 

Myron  Lawrence, 

John  C.  Gray, 

J.  H.  W.  Page, 

Leonard  Barrett, 

Robert  C.  VVmthrop. 

Worcester  County  Society. 
George  Denny, 

Johnson  Gardner, 
Cromwell  Leonard, 
Jacob  Deane, 
Isaac  Wood,  Jr. 

J.  B.  Woods, 
Alvan  Smith, 
Henry  Forbes, 
Joseph  Smith, 
Elijah  Cowles, 

John  Brooks. 
William  S.  Lincoln, 
Anthony  Chase, 
Stephen  Salisbury, 
Isaac  Davis, 

Hampshire,  Hampden    and 
franklin  Society. 
Henry  Shepherd, 
Richard  Bagg,  Jr., 

George  J.  Lyman, 
Lorenzo  Gaylord, 
K.  B.  Hubbard, 
Horace  Lyman, 
Luke  r.*nrlo. 

James  Easterbrooks, 
Ephraim  Mower, 

Francis  Brewer, 
E.  Edwards. 

N.  W.  Aldrich, 
Silas  Ball, 

Thomas  W.  Ward, 
Harvey  Dodge, 
Jos.  A.  Heed, 
Jos.  N.  Bates, 

Hampden  County  Society. 
Paoli  Lothrop, 
John  Mills, 
Francis  Brewer, 

-,ucius  Ferry. 

Worcester  Co.  North  Soc. 
Seth  Caldwell, 

vjtis  Adams, 
Benjamin  Flagg. 

Col.  Nettleton, 
jr.  S.  Chapin, 

Edward  Denny, 
Jos.  N.  Bates, 

Middlesex  County  Society. 

11.  Bagg,  Jr., 

Luke  Houghton. 

E.  R.  Hoar, 
O.  M.  Whipple, 

Silas  Koot, 
David  Mosely, 
VI  r.  Noble, 

Berkshire  County  Society. 
E.  H.  Kellogg, 

Samuel  Chandler, 

Col.  W7ilson, 

\.  G.  Welch. 

S.  Brown, 
S.  S.  Richardson, 

Col.  Parks, 

Plymouth  County  Society. 

M.  W.  Marsh, 

Jos.  Brown,  2d, 

Seth  Sprague. 

Jos.  Manning, 

Jabez  Stevens, 

R.  S.  Merrick/ 

Norfolk  County  Society. 

Stephen  Morse. 

G.  O.  Bliss, 

B.  V.  French, 

Essex  County  Society. 
J.  W.  Proctor, 

Dr.  Holcomb. 
East  Hampshire  Society. 

M.  P.  Wilder, 
E.  K.  Whitaker, 
£.  L.  Keyes. 

Moses  Newell, 

'resident  Hitchcock, 

Samuel  Walker, 

Josiah  Newell, 

Edward  Dickinson, 

Jheever  NewhaU, 

James  Stevens, 

Professor  Fowler, 

Elijah  Perry, 

Elisha  Mack, 

Ithamer  Conkey, 

C.  C.  Sewall, 

James  Duncan, 

Alfred  Baker, 

jeorge  W.  Beale, 

Benjamin  Porter, 

Simeon  Clark, 

Ward  Adams, 

Lewis  Allen, 

A.  C.  Marshall, 

Archibald  Dewitt, 

Jeremiah  Coburn, 

Baxter  Eastman, 

7ruman  Clarke, 

Andrew  Nichols. 

L.  D.  Cowles, 

\.  D.  Capen. 

YC',0751 


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